The Licensing Sub-Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Monday 19 November 2012 to consider a new premises licence application for Richmond Park Golf Course. The committee granted the licence, subject to a number of conditions, after hearing representations from the applicant and interested parties. An item regarding Richmond Food and Wine was withdrawn prior to the hearing.

Richmond Park Golf Course Licence Granted with Conditions

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence for Richmond Park Golf Course, located at The Old Nursery , Richmond Park, Norstead Place, London SW15 3SA¹. The application, made by Glendale Golf Limited, was for a range of licensable activities including the sale of alcohol, plays, films, and live music.

During the meeting, the applicant, Matt De'ath, Catering Manager, presented an amended application that incorporated comments from interested parties. Key amendments included:

• All outside activities to cease at 6:00 pm.
• The terminal hour for licensable activities to be 11:00 pm.
• The premises to close at 11:59 pm.
• Agreement to a noise limiter condition set by the Council's Environmental Health department.
• Agreement to conditions requested by the Metropolitan Police.
• Agreement to a condition requested by Royal Parks, limiting light levels at the furthest perimeter of the pond to 1 Lux.
• A reduction in the licensable area.
• The surrender of the existing premises licence upon the granting of the new one.

Mr De'ath stated that the new golf club had planning permission and would be constructed regardless of the licensing outcome. He also confirmed that licensable hours would not be operated until both planning and licensing permissions were in place. It was noted that the operation of the previous licence had not generated any complaints from residents.

Representations were made by interested parties, including Carlos DeSouza and Roger Cook. Mr DeSouza expressed concerns about potential increases in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, noise, and light pollution, particularly due to the proximity of the premises to residential properties and its access point off the A3 road². He also noted that many supporting letters for the application appeared to be identical, using a pro forma. Mr DeSouza felt that the planning restriction limiting the premises to one hour after sunset should be applied to the granted licence.

The legal adviser clarified that planning and licensing processes are separate, referencing case law such as R (on the application of Blackwood) (Claimant) v Birmingham Magistrates, Birmingham City Council (Defendants) & Mitchells & Butler Leisure Retail Ltd (Interested Party) (2006)³.

Adrian Wickham, supporting Mr De'ath, highlighted the applicant's commitment to a green travel strategy, a car park management plan, and an annual travel survey. Mr De'ath further assured the committee that the overflow car park would only operate when the main car park was full and that the significant investment in the premises would deter irresponsible patrons. He also offered a condition to limit alcohol sales to those attending for golf, if a suitable wording could be formulated.

The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the application, subject to conditions detailed in the decision letter. These conditions were imposed to mitigate public nuisance and prevent nuisance to residents living within 70 metres of the premises. The decision acknowledged that the premises licence is ancillary to the golfing use and that the new location is much closer to residential properties than the previous site. The committee considered the evidence presented, including that from interested parties, and imposed limitations on operating hours and the use of the overflow car park. Specific conditions were imposed regarding the sale of alcohol, limiting it to persons who have played golf within the last 90 days or their guests. The overflow car park is restricted from use after 6:00 pm between 1st November and 1st April each year. The licence will not take effect until the existing licence is surrendered and the premises are constructed to the satisfaction of the Licensing Authority.

The meeting also noted that the item concerning Richmond Food and Wine, located at 2 The Parade, Lower Richmond Road, Richmond, was withdrawn prior to the hearing.

The meeting, which began at 7:00 pm, concluded at 9:25 pm.