Agenda item

Councillor L Brown did not participate in the determination of this item.

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Regeneration and Local Services, to determine the application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of Ustinov College, Sheraton House, Durham (for copy see file of minutes).

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report and confirmed that of the two representations received, one had been withdrawn.  The others were from Ms Hogan, who was not in attendance, but had cited noise disturbance and antisocial behaviour on leaving the premises at night, as the reason for objecting to the proposed extension of hours.

It was confirmed that the number of properties at Sheraton Park was in excess of 300.  It was also noted that the properties were primarily town houses, most comprised of families, however there was a number of houses with multi-occupancy status.

The Applicant confirmed that since the premises opened in September 2017, it had been operating strictly in accordance with the conditions attached to the licence.  In his role as Secretary of the Club, he confirmed that Ustinov College was a good neighbour and minimise disruption to residents.

The application sought to extend the hours of drinking on Thursday-Saturday.  The students at Ustinov College were post-graduate and operated to their own schedule, the majority having to attend classes until 6pm. This inevitably resulted in additional travel time home and the preparation of food went on until later in the evening, following which they tended to socialise in their kitchens before retiring to the bar area in the evening at 9pm.  The entertainment in the bar was rushed as it was compressed in such a small window of time.  This extension would ensure that students could enjoy the evening for slightly longer and would extend the drinking-up time.

With regards to residents’ concerns, the Applicant had always consulted widely and had approached the Residents Association, Neville’s Cross Community Association and met with Police and Local Councillors.  Residents were represented by a member of the community on the bars Committee and there had been no objection by any of the parties consulted.  The Police had confirmed that there had been no adverse police reports and a dedicated email address which had been widely publicised in the area, specifically to report any concerns regarding the College, had not been used to report any noise or antisocial behaviour.

There was a night porter on duty who had access to a senior member of staff, for any emergencies.  This protocol was yet to be invoked this year and it was important to note that there was a soiling fee charged by housekeepers which had never needed to be paid.

The College would remain committed to the objectives they had been operating to, and the additional hours were not expected to have any detrimental impact to residents amenity.  Should the situation change, Mr Macdonald confirmed that there would be a prompt response.

Mr Pitts confirmed that Ustinov College students were more mature post graduates, most were international students whose average age was between 21-25.

In response to a question from Councillor Blakey the Applicant confirmed that live music was played in the bar area on evenings, but this was an area which had been designed following advice from a noise pollution consultancy to establish the best way to prevent sound escaping.  It had been constructed with the most effective acoustic glass and could be described as a ‘sealed box’.  There were no outdoor seating areas for people to congregate and the bar was unique in that only students from Ustinov College could gain entry – it was not open to members of other colleges or the public, unless they were signed in as a guest.

In response to Councillor Hicks, the Applicant confirmed that since September 2017 there had been complaints received regarding privacy and road safety issues, but no complaints had been received with regards to noise.

Resolved:

That the variation of the premises licence be granted as follows;