This Association has received a number of emails concerning the recent application for the licensing of late night refreshments at the Hazelwood Centre, Croysdale Avenue.

There are natural concerns as to how the granting of this licence may affect our local residents with noise and other disturbances being the most common concerns. It should be noted that any representation by a resident should be made by 22nd July and be evidence based. In this connection, it may be difficult because any evidence will have been collected prior to the change of ownership of Hazelwood; and the new licensees will justifiably argue that any previous problems had nothing to do with them.

It's a matter of judgement but it may be preferable to see how the premises are managed and, if necessary, apply for a review should there be an adverse effect on public tranquility. (see below)

A key feature of the Licensing Act 2003 is to allow local communities a say in licensing decisions that may affect them, as well as ensuring that professionals such as the police, fire authorities, trading standards and environmental health officers are able to scrutinise applications and take action if problems occur.

The Licensing the Act allows the views of local people and businesses to be taken into account when someone first applies for a licence or certificate to carry out a regulated activity such as selling alcohol, providing entertainment and/or providing late night refreshment.

Where a licence has already taken effect, the Act also allows local people and businesses to request a review of a licence or certificate of any licensed premises that may be causing problems e.g. noise or other disturbances.

Full application details can also be viewed in the licensing authority's "licensing register". Using the Register, applicants will be able to check all opening hours; licensable activities and any steps the applicant has volunteered to take to promote the four licensing objectives.  These are set out in the applicant's "operating schedule".

The four licensing objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder;
• Public safety;
• The prevention of public nuisance; and
• The protection of children from harm.

If anyone is concerned that granting a licence in the terms it has been applied for is likely to have an effect on the promotion of one or more of these objectives, they have 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the relevant authority, to make a representation to that authority. (In the case of Hazelwood, the closing date is 22nd July).

Representations should be made in writing to the licensing authority where the premises are situated.  Licensing authorities may also accept representations by email.

All representations must be about the likely effect of granting the licence or certificate on the promotion of at least one of the four licensing objectives. It would be wise, therefore, to explicitly link any representation to one or more of the objectives.

It will also assist if the representations are specific to the premises and evidence based. (as indicated above, this may be difficult).  Interested parties may, therefore wish to talk to local police beforehand, or document problems themselves by, for example, keeping a diary or photographic evidence of any incidents. Licensing authorities will need to be satisfied that there is an evidential and causal link between the representations made, and the effect on the licensing objectives.

See the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy: http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1264&p=0 with particular reference to Paras, 17 (enforcement), 18 (The Review Process), 24 (Crime and Disorder), 24.1 and 24.7.5 .