Agenda item

            The Building Control Manager submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

 

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1       To consider an application for the grant of a Seven-Day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence, based on the Council’s standard conditions to provide outdoor musical entertainment.

 

Area and Location	Ref. No.	Applicant
Banana Block 310 Newtownards Road Belfast, BT4 1HE	WK/2020/01331	Mr Ralf Alwani Belfast Rooftops Ltd.

 

1.2       A location map has been circulated to Members.

 

1.3       Members are reminded that all applications for the grant of Outdoor Entertainments Licences must be brought before the Committee for consideration.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       Taking into account the information presented and any representations made in respect of the application the Committee is required to make a decision to either:

 

(a)   approve the application for the grant of the Seven-Day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence, or

 

(b)   approve the application for the grant with special conditions, or

 

(c)   refuse the application for the grant of the Seven-Day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence.

 

2.2       If an application is refused, or special conditions are attached to the licence to which the applicant does not consent, then the applicant may appeal the Council’s decision within 21 days of notification of that decision to the County Court. In the case that the applicant subsequently decides to appeal, outdoor entertainment may not be provided until any such appeal is determined.

 

3.0       Main Report

           

            Key Issues

 

3.1       The applicant has applied to provide entertainment within the outdoor area adjacent to the main building known as the Banana Block. The area will serve the Banana Block building, which is also subject to an application for Indoor Entertainment.  If the Committee is minded togrant the Outdoor Entertainments Licence, it will not be issued until such time as the Indoor Entertainments Licence is granted. The applicant has indicated that the outdoor area will only be used for entertainment when entertainment is provided within the indoor space.

 

3.2       The standard days and hours for an Outdoor Entertainments Licence are:

 

·        Monday to Sunday:   11.30 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

 

3.3       In addition, the following Special Conditions are usually attached to Outdoor Licences:

 

1.     Maximum numbers will be agreed at the discretion of the Building Control Service and will vary depending upon individual event set up proposals.

 

2.     Prior to any event taking place the promoters are required to demonstrate evidence of early consultation and have in place a robust system of dealing with any complaints, which has been agreed in advance with the Council.

 

3.     Any requests to provide entertainment later than 11.00 p.m. must be considered by the Licensing Committee and therefore must be made at least 3 months in advance of the proposed event.

 

4.     Should an application to provide entertainment beyond 11.00 p.m. be granted and the Council then receive a significant number of complaints regarding noise or the complaint is of such significant impact, authority is granted to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to reduce the finishing time for any subsequent nights of the event, in which case the promoter will be required to make contingency arrangements.

 

            Representations

 

3.4       Public notice of the application has been placed and no written representation have been lodged as a result of the advertisement.

 

            PSNI

 

3.5       The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been consulted in relation to the application. At the time of writing this report, the Council has not received a response. An update will be provided at the meeting.

 

            NIFRS

 

3.6       The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service was also consulted and has no objection to the application. It will be invited to attend any planning meetings and will be provided with any associated event documentation for comment.

 

            Health, Safety and Welfare

 

3.7       The applicant is developing a management plan outlining how the area will be managed to ensure the health and safety of their patrons and staff. Policies on customer social distancing, staff social distancing, PPE, handwashing and waiter service will be included in the plan.

 

3.8       When received, the Service will provide a copy of the applicant’s proposals to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to the Health and Safety section of City and Neighbourhood Services for their consideration.

 

            Noise

 

3.9       The applicant has been advised that an acoustic report will be required prior to outdoor entertainment being hosted at the venue.  The report will be provided to the Environmental Protection Unit for evaluation.

 

 

            Applicant

 

3.10     The applicant, and/or their representatives, will be available at your meeting to answer any queries you may have in relation to the application.

 

            Financial and Resource Implications

 

3.11     None.

 

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

 

3.12     There are no issues associated with this report.”

 

            The Committee agreed to grant a Seven-Day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence for Banana Block, 310 Newtownards Road, subject to the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirming that it had no objection to the licence being granted.