Agenda and minutes

The Council’s Licensing Case Officer introduced a report relating to an application made by Springmerch LTD for a 10-year time-limited premises licence in respect of the WeAre Music Festival, to be held at Central Park, Dagenham, RM10 7EJ.

The application for the premises license had been submitted by Springmerch LTD on 19 May 2020, and the application would have seen the first two-day festival scheduled for Saturday 12 September 2020 and Sunday 13 September 2020. The maximum number of attendees expected would have been 23,500 on Saturday 12 September and 23,500 on Sunday 13 September, with 1,000 of these expected amounts to include staff and performers. The festival layout would have consisted of an outdoor arena within a fenced perimeter, with multiple performance areas including outdoor stages, marquees and self-contained structures. The applicant sought the following licensable activities: live music, recorded music and supply of alcohol between 11:00 until 22:30.

Three representations were received as a result of the application, with two on behalf of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. These had been submitted by the Council’s Licensing Authority Responsible Authority Officer and the Community Safety Operations Manager. Another representation had also been received from the Metropolitan Police. All three representations had been made under all four Licensing Objectives, namely the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, Public Safety, the Prevention of Public Nuisance and the Protection of Children from Harm. Two representations in support of the application were also received. These were from one member of the public who had previously attended a festival and a transport provider, Ensign, who had previously been engaged and provided transport relating to festivals for the past 7 years.

Initial concerns were raised by the Council’s Environmental Health Noise Nuisance team on possible noise nuisance caused by the events. The concerns had been conciliated and had resulted in an agreed condition which would be added to the licence if granted.

The application had originally been presented to the Sub-Committee on 14 July 2020. Consideration of the matter was deferred, however, in the light of the impact of the Government’s Covid-19 operating restrictions on the then proposed first festival date scheduled for September 2020. The consideration of the application was adjourned to a date on or before 11 September 2020, but as there had been little movement in the situation regarding Covid-19 operating restrictions by 11 September 2020, the matter was not returned to the Sub-Committee at that time.

On 18 November 2020, the applicant requested that the following additional condition be added to any licence that may be granted: “Should Covid-19 Directives issued by Government or the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham direct that an event or part of an event authorised by this premises licence should not take place then the premises licence holder shall cancel the event or part of the event as directed”.

The application was then scheduled to be heard by the Sub-Committee on 16 February 2021. As of this date, two representations had been withdrawn by way  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.