Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

None.

It was confirmed that all items were in Part I and would be considered in Public.

None.

INTRODUCTION

Steven Dormer, Licensing Officer, introduced the application for the review of a premises licence at Kho Kho Restaurant, 101-103 High Street, Ruislip to bring the licence into compliance with the Prevention of a Public Nuisance licensing objective. The Sub-Committee were informed that the application had been prompted by complaints from local residents to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team of noise emanating from the premises, primarily whilst regulated entertainment had been taking place, and the noise disturbances had often lasted long into the night. Despite the intentions of the premises’ management to curtail the noise, they had little effect in addressing the disturbances and conforming to the licensing objectives.

Members were informed that further major concerns were raised following the organising of a fireworks display in a narrow space adjacent to the restaurant on 06 November 2021, whereby no risk assessment had been in place and consideration of neighbours and the general public had not been properly taken into account. It was highlighted that noise abatement notices had been served on the premises with little credence taken by the premises’ management, within a week the notice had been breached.

Upon a site visit in September 2021, the premises were found to be operating at a good level of compliance by licensing officers; however, it was noted that no regulated entertainment was taking place during the officers’ site visit. During the site visit, officers had met with the premises manager who reassured them that plans were in place to combat the noise issues. A small number of days later, local residents raised concerns that the premises was once again not conforming with the objectives of the Licensing Act 2003. The Licensing officer recommended that, amongst other conditions outlined in the officer report, the Sub-Committee curtail the hours at which regulated entertainment could occur as this appeared to be the root of most noise disturbances experienced by residents.

THE APPLICANT

The Applicant addressed the Sub-Committee outlining the application to review the premises licence and the reasons for submitting the application. As far as the Anti-Social Behaviour Team were concerned, the issue related primarily to noise disturbances, incidents of which had occurred as early as June 2019 due to a noisy extractor fan which could clearly be heard by residents in adjacent properties, the noise continued throughout 2019 and in October of that year, a noise abatement notice was served on the premises requiring management to prevent the extractor fan from causing a nuisance. Restaurant closures due to Covid-19 restrictions had limited the occurrence of noise disturbance throughout 2020; however, in 2021, when the restaurant re-opened, reports of noise nuisance from the extractor fan were immediately received and a further noise abatement notice was then served in May 2021.

The Sub-Committee were informed that from March 2021, the Council had started receiving reports of loud amplified music emanating from the premises as a result of regulated entertainment. Reports from residents indicated that this was happening late at night and at least once per week.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.