The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Northampton Rugby Football Club Ltd. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

New Premises Licence Application for Northampton Rugby Football Club Ltd

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a new premises licence application submitted by Northampton Rugby Football Club Ltd, trading as Northampton Saints RFC, for their venue at Franklins Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton, NN5 5BG. The application was for a time-limited licence for a single outdoor music event to take place between 27 June and 28 June 2026.

The proposed activities included regulated entertainment, specifically live and recorded music, and the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises. The requested timings for these activities were:

• Recorded music: 12:00 – 21:00
• Live music: 12:45 – 22:00
• Sale of alcohol: 12:00 – 23:30

The report pack indicated that a relevant representation had been received from a member of the public, raising concerns about potential noise and its impact on the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. The report noted that the Environmental Protection Team had agreed additional conditions with the applicant, detailed in the EP conditions document. These conditions included specific limits on music duration and volume, the requirement for an event noise management plan, and the appointment of an acoustic consultant.

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider the application in accordance with the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, aiming to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The report outlined several potential steps the sub-committee could take, including granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely.

A representation from a resident, included in the TJ objection document, expressed concerns about noise intrusion from previous music events at the venue, particularly low-frequency bass vibrations. The resident highlighted that a 12-hour music event would significantly impact residential amenity and their ability to rest, especially given their work as an emergency services shift worker. The representation suggested that the licensing authority should either refuse the application or impose strict conditions to mitigate the impact on local residents.

The report also referenced the Northampton Statement of Licensing Policy 2020 - 2026 and statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, which advises against inappropriate or disproportionate measures that could deter valuable community events like live music. The guidance also stresses that conditions attached to licences must be tailored to the specific premises and events.

The meeting was scheduled to consider the application based on its merits, with a focus on the licensing objectives and any representations received. The full application details are available in the app form document.