Agenda item

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) introduced the report to the Sub-Committee. He explained that an application has been made under s.17 of the Licensing Act 2003 by Jeremy Davis, 19 The Brow, Twerton, Bath, BA21EA for a new Premises Licence for Snake Meadows, Bath Road, Saltford, BS31 3JS.

Councillor Shaun Hughes asked for confirmation that the maximum capacity of any event would be 1,200 people including staff, performers and all other attendees.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) replied that this was correct and that the figure had been reduced from 2,000 in the original application whilst in the consultation period.

Councillor Toby Simon asked for confirmation that the licence being applied for would only be used on only two Saturdays in a calendar year.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) replied that this was correct.

Andy Morse, Event Planner, addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant. He explained that the event was being organised alongside members of the Bath Hot Air Balloon Club and that they had previously held charity events using Temporary Event Notices.

He stated that they have worked with the local community in Saltford, the rowing club and school on previous events.

He confirmed that the licence was only being applied for to use on two Saturdays in a calendar year.

He explained that they have been working on an Emergency Management Plan in conjunction with the Council and that this was 85% complete. He said that they also have a Traffic Management Plan and have held meetings with the Fire Authority and Environmental Health to discuss issues relative to noise.

He stated that a security company would be employed at the events to oversee the safety of all attendees.

He said that two evacuation points had been established on the site and that an Emergency Services Plan had been compiled to maintain a sterile route for access.

Councillor Shaun Hughes asked for confirmation that the bands at the event would be as stated in the application.

Andy Morse replied that they would be and said that events would not always have alcohol or music in place.

Jeremy Davis commented that one event was planned to be held with music and the other one would be solely about ballooning.

Councillor Hughes asked if these were to be seen mainly as family orientated events.

Jeremy Davis replied that they were.

Councillor Hughes asked if anyone under the age of 18 would be able to purchase a ticket for themselves.

Jeremy Davis replied that he would need to check the ticket criteria.

Andy Morse added that the event will have a Safeguarding Process in place, all staff would be DBS checked, any alcohol sales would only be through a registered company and said that Jeremy Davis had obtained a personal licence as part of the organisation process for these events.

Councillor Hughes asked what the capacity of the car park would be for the events.

Jeremy Davis replied that it would be 500 vehicles.

Councillor Hughes asked how parking restrictions on Bath Road would be controlled.

Andy Morse replied that Parking Marshalls would be in place during the event.

Councillor Hughes asked if attendees would be encouraged to use public transport to travel to and from the event.

Andy Morse replied that this would be encouraged where possible.

Councillor Simon asked if they had contacted First Bus regarding the event.

Andy Morse replied that they had not done so yet, but would do if the licence were to be granted.

Councillor Hughes asked if the CCTV would be pole mounted or on body cameras worn by security staff.

Jeremy Davis replied that there was already CCTV permanently in place in the fields and that fire extinguishers were also on site.

Councillor Hughes asked how the ratio for security staff - public of 150:1 had been agreed.

Andy Morse replied that the figure had been decided following advice from the Police.

Councillor Steve Hedges said that he remained concerned about the number of people that would have to leave the site onto the main road (A4) in the event of an incident that would require evacuation.

Andy Morse replied that two designated evacuation points have been established and that it would only take five minutes to reach the safety points.

Councillor Hedges asked if they agreed that all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to the event and that security staff should wear body cameras during the event.

Jeremy Davis, Andy Morse and Adrian Connor (Event Planner) replied that they all agreed.

Phil Harding, Chair of Planning, Salford Parish Council said that he welcomed the measures that have been put in place. He asked how event organisers could assure residents that dangerous parking would not take place on streets near to the site.

Adrian Connor replied that they have used the same team of people for the last two events and that they carry out hourly checks to nearby roads. He said that he could recall that only vehicle had caused a nuisance over those two events and that the road in question (The Glen) was cordoned off once the team had been notified.

Phil Harding referred to the Avon Valley as being like a sound box and asked how sound / noise would be monitored during the events.

Jeremy Davis replied that three technicians would be employed to oversee the events. He added that officers from Environmental Health would set the levels for the event, around 85 decibels, but that this could be reduced. He said that regular checks would be carried out, there would be a phone number available should an incident occur and that speakers would be directed away from the village.

Councillor Duncan Hounsell, Saltford Ward asked for confirmation that vehicles approaching the site from the Globe roundabout would not be able to turn right onto the site.

Jeremy Davis replied that as part of the Traffic Management Plan any vehicle approaching from this direction would have to drive past the site until they reach the KFC / Waitrose roundabout just before Keynsham, turn around to travel back towards the site before turning left onto the site.

Councillor Hounsell asked if they were aware that this would add 4 miles to the journey for those attending.

Andy Morse replied that this was the advice they had received whilst compiling the Traffic Management Plan.

Clive Buckley, attending on behalf of objector Brian Fisher asked for confirmation that vehicles leaving the site will not be allowed to turn right.

Andy Morse replied that this was correct and that they would have marshals in place to manage this.

Clive Buckley asked if adverse weather would affect the ability of vehicles to park in the field.

Andy Morse replied that matting would be put in place and that this had been used over many years.

Clive Buckley asked why the organiser had already begun to sell tickets without obtaining a licence.

Andy Morse replied that should the licence not be granted customers would be able to get a refund with a simple click of a button on the website.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) added that an event could still take place on the date advertised even if the application is unsuccessful as the hearing today was regarding the licensable activities at such an event.

Phil Harding addressed the Sub-Committee on the issues of noise and access to the site. He explained that there had been previous parking issues in The Shallows and asked the Sub-Committee to not make the assumption that just because there were a low number of complaints that this should be seen as compliance from the local community.

He said that he believed that adapting a field for this event, next to the A4, would not be easy and remained concerned about access to the site.

He suggested whether licensable activities could take place on just one of the proposed Saturdays.

Councillor Simon asked if anti-social parking should be seen as material consideration to the application.

The Team Leader (Legal Services) referred to sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Statutory Guidance in relation to Public Safety and said that access for emergency vehicles to the site must be maintained.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) commented that this issue had been looked into previously and that the responsibility of the Premises Licence Holder was relevant to the curtilage of the site, areas beyond that would not be within their control.

Clive Buckley addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of Brian Fisher. He said that he had found out about the event by chance and that notices about the event were not displayed prominently enough.

He said that he felt that most of the attendees would likely travel to the site by car and that even a small issue could bring traffic in the area to a standstill. He added that for those who do attend on foot the pathway is narrow.

He said that their concerns remain in place regarding access / egress to the site for emergency vehicles and noise in the local area after the event has finished.

Councillor Hughes asked if he was aware that an Event Management Plan would need to be submitted to the Council prior to the event taking place.

Clive Buckley replied that he was, but queried if it would address enough of their concerns.

Councillor Duncan Hounsell addressed the Sub-Committee. He said that he noted the reduction in the capacity for the event and the confirmation that an event would only be held on two Saturdays in a calendar year.

He stated that more information about the event needed to be in the public domain and that his concerns about public safety remain.

He said that he was aware of other events that had been held on or near the site and he did not believe that it was a safe location.

He queried whether the licence could be issued for a prescribed period of time to assess any issues that might arise from holding one of the events.

Councillor Hughes asked if the need to submit an Event Management Plan to the Council prior to the event provided him with any confidence.

Councillor Hounsell replied that he had not seen the Plan yet and that the officer who receives / decides upon it should have knowledge of the local area to approve it appropriately.

He added that he felt that the additional mileage for accessing and leaving the site would cause an issue.

The following summing up statements were made by the objectors and the applicant.

Phil Harding said that his public safety concerns remain and questioned whether the location was right for the event within a rural village.

Clive Buckley proposed that should the licence be granted that it be for just one event per year.

The Chair asked the applicant if they were willing to accept this proposal.

Jeremy Davis replied that they would still wish to hold two events per year, but said that only one of them would operate with licensable activities (Sale of Alcohol / Live & Recorded Music).

Councillor Hounsell commented that this outcome looked potentially reasonable.

Andy Morse stated that they had worked alongside the Council throughout the application process and had taken steps to outsource elements of the event to companies with the relative expertise required.

He said that an analysis of each event would take after it had been held at that Emergency and Event Management Plans would be in place for all events under the licence.

The Chair thanked all parties for the way in which the hearing had been conducted.

Decision & Reasons

Members have determined an application for a new Premises Licence at Snake Meadows, Bath Road, Saltford, BS31 3JS. In doing so they have taken into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, Statutory Guidance updated February 2025, the Council’s Policy, Human Rights Act 1998, and case law.

Members are aware that the proper approach under the Licensing Act is to be reluctant to regulate in the absence of evidence and must only do what is appropriate and proportionate in the promotion of the licensing objectives on the information before them. Members reminded themselves that each application must be considered on its own merits.

Jeremy Davis, Andy Morse, and Adrian Connor addressed Members in support of the application. Mr Morse indicated to Members that they are a local organisation volunteer led, bringing younger generations into hot air ballooning.

They give to charities and try to give back to their local community. Mr Morse explained that they had outsourced work to experts where appropriate in areas such as first aid and security and put a lot of effort into working with the responsible authorities. They engaged with BANES in the preparation of the application and had done all that was requested of them. Mr Davis indicated that the events were mostly aimed at families with advance ticket purchases. Mr Morse indicated that they had reduced the number of proposed attendees following a meeting with responsible authorities. They want their proposals to be a success and work with the community and feel like they had done all they could in respect of their application.

On questioning by Members, the applicant said they would be agreeable to only one event per year where there would be licensable activities; a condition that children under 16 have to be accompanied by an adult and another that SIA staff would wear bodycams.

Members had regard to the written objections from Councillor Duncan Hounsell, Saltford Parish Council and Brian Fisher.

Members heard from Councillor Hounsell who is the Ward Councillor for the relevant area. Having considered his written and oral representations, Members noted he objected to the application on the basis that the entrance to the premises is insufficient to handle the large volume of vehicles and pedestrians for the proposed events, there would be congestion and delays on the main road and emergency access and evacuation would be problematic. Further, he contended that the amenity of residents would be disrupted due to the duration and intensity of noise, and the alcohol sales for extended hours were likely to contribute to anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Hounsell suggested that if granted, the licence should be restricted to a very small number of events or granted on an event-by-event basis so the ability to manage the events could be monitored. In summing up, Councillor Hounsell indicated that the amended proposal for one licensable event per year would be a reasonable, reassuring outcome as efforts could be concentrated on that.

Clive Buckley attended the Committee to make oral representations of objection on behalf of Mr Fisher who lives close to the proposed premises. Mr Buckley on behalf of Mr Fisher indicated to Members that there were concerns that the proposal would lead to drunken and anti-social behaviour which would spill over into the surrounding residential streets causing public nuisance. The proposed location is in close proximity to a very busy road with the potential for serious accidents. He referred to the narrow footway and said that even with a Traffic Management Plan, traffic could still be brought to a standstill and restrict the passage of emergency vehicles. Concerns were expressed regarding the options for evacuation given the proposed site.

Phil Harding Chair of Planning for Saltford Parish Council, addressed Members in oral representations and indicated in writing and orally that the Parish Council objects to the application on the basis of the impact on traffic flow on the A4 Bath Road, dangerous access to and from the proposed site from the A4 by pedestrians and vehicles, dangerous and hazardous parking on the A4 and Saltford’s residential roads, negative impact on the local community and increase in anti-social behaviour, all of which were set out extensively in the written representation that Members had had regard to. In summing up, Mr Harding said that Public Safety was the main concern.

There were two written representations in support of the application. One stated that they fully support the application, the other also fully supported the application and indicated that the event would be a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate local talent and make a real difference through charitable fundraising.

In determining this application Members were careful to take account of the relevant written and oral representations both for and against the application and balanced their competing interests.

Members noted that there had been no representations of objection from responsible authorities and the applicant had engaged extensively with them, as well as Highways and Events in making this application, particularly with regard to Event, Traffic, Emergency and Noise management.

Members had regard to the fact that paragraph 9.12 of the Statutory Guidance provides “each responsible authority will be an expert in their respective field, and in some cases, it is likely that a particular responsible authority will be the licensing authority’s main source of advice in relation to a particular licensing objective.”

Members took into account the fact that the applicant has amended his proposal to hold an event with licensable activities on one occasion a year, occurring on a Saturday and that they had sought to limit the attendance number to 1200, reduced from 2000. These measures limiting the extent of the proposed licence had been offered or agreed to by the applicant.

The Committee carefully considered the objections made in relation to the application but they were satisfied that given the concessions made by the applicant in relation to what was being sought, the input they had obtained from experts and responsible authorities as part of the application and future event planning, and the suite of measures being offered as set out at paragraph 3.4 in the report, that all four of the licensing objectives would be promoted.

Authority is therefore delegated to the licensing officer to issue the licence in accordance with the measures offered by the applicant and set out at paragraph 3.4, page 48 of the agenda report pack, the mandatory conditions and subject to the following:

(1)  The hours for the Sale of Alcohol are changed from 10.30 to 23.00, to 10.30 to 22.40;

(2)  The condition which provides as follows: “Licensable activity under this authority shall only be on two dates per annum in any calendar year, with dates subject to approval by the Bath and North East Somerset Council Events Team and notification in writing to the Licensing department at least 30 days in advance” shall be amended to say “Licensable activity under this authority shall only be on one date per annum in any calendar year, with the date subject to approval by the Bath and North East Somerset Council Events Team and notification in writing to the Licensing department at least 30 days in advance.”

(3)  There will be a condition which provides “children under 16 years old shall be accompanied by an adult to the event” in the promotion of the protection of children from harm licensing objective.

Members welcomed the offer from the applicant that SIA staff will be requested to wear bodycams.