endorsing
a new draft licensing policy that could outlaw 24 hour drinking
Councillors have endorsed a new draft licensing policy that could outlaw
24 hour drinking at pubs, bars and nightclubs in Putney & Wandsworth.
The draft policy, which is now subject to widespread public consultation,
has been drawn up in response to the Government's new Licensing Act, which
will permit drinking round the clock when it comes into effect in October
2005.
Councillors on the general purposes committee believe that allowing bars
and pubs to stay open all day and all night is inappropriate in a largely
residential borough like Wandsworth.
But residents and businesses are now being asked to have their say on
whether they agree with this view or whether they think the council should
permit more relaxed opening hours for pubs, clubs and bars. Public consultation
on the issue will continue until November 5 and the views of local people
will help determine the final policy.
There are already 883 premises in the borough that hold a liquor licence
and nearly all are situated either adjacent to or very close to residential
properties. This includes 560 pubs, bars, restaurants and social clubs,
nightclubs and discos.
Wandsworth's population of just over 269,000 gives it a residential density
of 76 people per hectare - making it the tenth most densely populated
borough in England and Wales.
Many complaints received by the council relate to the noise generated
by people leaving licensed premises, especially late at night or in the
early hours of the morning when ambient noise levels are lower. Whilst
noise from within licensed premises can be controlled by the owners, they
cannot control noise disturbance in the street, and therefore, the only
effective remedy is to limit opening hours.
Many pubs and bars are already permitted to sell alcohol beyond the traditional
11pm closing time. More than 100 are permitted to serve drinks until midnight,
while 41 others can until 2am.
Wandsworth's deputy leader Cllr Maurice Heaster said the council had a
duty to take into account the interests of residents'.
Cllr Heaster added: "We do recognise that pubs, bars and clubs play
a key role in the night-time economy, but this borough has a substantial
residential population and it is our duty to make sure that the impact
of these businesses do not impinge onto their neighbours.
"This is especially important in a borough like Wandsworth where
there are many young families. What we must do is strike the right balance
between assisting these businesses and the people who live in close proximity
to them. The Government believes that preventing pubs and bars from staying
open later just encourages binge drinking and all the associated public
order problems that result from large numbers of people spilling out onto
the streets at the same time.
"I have to say that we have seen no evidence of this sort of behaviour
in this borough. What we have seen evidence of though is the noise disturbance
caused by people leaving bars and nightclubs. Allowing them to stay open
all night with people coming and going at all hours will mean that some
of their neighbours might never get a decent night's sleep.
He urged local people to give their views to the council saying this would
be the decisive factor in shaping policy.
The new Licensing Act transfers the powers to grant a liquor licence from
magistrates to local authorities. When determining an application, councils
must have regard to the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety;
the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from
harm.
August 19, 2004
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