The Licensing Sub-Committee A of Greenwich Council granted a premises licence for Stone Foundries, 669 Woolwich Road, SE7 8HL, subject to numerous conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives. The committee considered representations from various responsible authorities and an other person regarding potential impacts on crime and disorder, public safety, and public nuisance.

Stone Foundries, 669 Woolwich Road, SE7 8HL

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a Premises Licence for Stone Foundries, located at 669 Woolwich Road, SE7 8HL, an outdoor hardstanding site. The licence permits a range of licensable activities, including live and recorded music, plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing or wrestling entertainment, performances of dance, and the sale of alcohol for on-sales only.

The approved hours for licensable activities are generally from 09:00 to 22:30 or 23:00 daily, with the sale of alcohol permitted from 12:00 to 22:30. The premises' proposed opening times are daily between 09:00 and 23:00.

The decision to grant the licence was made after considering representations from the Metropolitan Police, the Licensing Authority (Environmental Health and Community Protection teams), and a nearby licensed business. Concerns were raised regarding public safety, particularly the dispersal of large crowds from the site, and the potential for public nuisance due to noise from amplified music and patrons.

The Metropolitan Police objected to the application, citing significant risks associated with the safe dispersal of up to 4,999 people, especially given the limited train service frequency and unstaffed station conditions after 20:00 hours. They highlighted the potential for overcrowding, congestion, disorder, and an unsustainable demand on policing resources. The police recommended refusing the application or significantly reducing the capacity, supported by a comprehensive Event Management Plan and a detailed Transport and Dispersal Strategy.

The Licensing Authority (Environmental Health) also objected, primarily on the grounds of preventing public nuisance. They raised concerns about the proximity of the open-air venue to residential properties on Atlas Gardens and Derrick Gardens, and the potential for noise from amplified music and patrons to cause disturbance. They noted flaws in the applicant's submitted noise report, including the timing and location of baseline recordings, the inappropriate use of the 1995 Code of Practice for Noise from Concerts, and inaccurate acoustic testing based on a potentially demolished building. Environmental Health recommended that a Noise Management Plan (NMP) be a mandatory condition, requiring a noise limit of 10dB below the background noise level at the nearest sensitive properties, and that proxy measurement locations be agreed upon.

A nearby licensed business also objected, expressing concerns about noise attribution and potential reputational harm if complaints arising from the new venue were misdirected towards existing businesses.

In response to these concerns, the licence was granted with a comprehensive set of conditions. These include:

• Capacity and Event Frequency Limits: The routine capacity is capped at 999 persons. Major Events (over 1,000 persons or involving boxing/wrestling) are limited in frequency and require significant prior notification and formal consultation with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).
• Safety Advisory Group (SAG) Process: For Major Events, a detailed Event Management Plan (EMP), including sub-plans for crowd management, security, medical cover, fire safety, and noise management, must be submitted to and approved by the SAG.
• Noise Management: A comprehensive overarching Noise Management Plan (NMP) must be approved by the Environmental Health Department, with specific Event-Specific Noise Management Plans (ESNMPs) required for certain events. Amplified sound must cease no later than 22:30 hours.
• Public Safety Measures: Conditions include requirements for site-specific risk assessments for terrain safety, pre-approved Fire Risk Assessments, appropriate first aid provision, and the maintenance of emergency exits.
• Transport and Dispersal: A comprehensive dispersal plan, including coordination with transport stakeholders, is required.
• Initial Operation Controls: For the first three events, attendance is limited to 500 persons, with post-event summary reports required before higher capacities are permitted. Traffic marshals are required for events exceeding 500 persons.
• Standard Conditions: Numerous standard conditions relating to CCTV, age verification (Challenge 25), staff training, incident management, security, welfare, and waste management were also imposed.

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had agreed to conditions with responsible authorities and accepted additional conditions proposed by the Licensing Authority to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the premises. The decision was made with confidence that the imposed conditions, if diligently applied, would promote the licensing objectives.

The full details of the licence conditions and the reasons for the decision are available in the Decisions 19th-Aug-2026 18.30 Licensing Sub-Committee A.pdf.