The Western Area Licensing Sub Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to consider an application for a Premises Licence for KFC in Trowbridge. The committee is also scheduled to address procedural matters at the start of the meeting.

Licensing Application for KFC, Trowbridge

The primary focus of the meeting is scheduled to be the consideration of an application for a Premises Licence for KFC, located at Unit 11, Spitfire Retail Park, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, BA14 0AZ. The application has been submitted by Clokken Limited and seeks permission for the provision of late-night refreshment between 23:00 and 05:00, with access to the restaurant between 23:00 and 00:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicates that six relevant representations have been received concerning this application. These representations have been made by local residents, Trowbridge Town Council, Councillor Denise Bates (Wiltshire Councillor for Trowbridge Drynham Ward), Wiltshire Council's Environmental Protection team, and Wiltshire Police.

The representations primarily raise concerns related to the licensing objectives of the Prevention of Public Nuisance and the Prevention of Crime and Disorder.

Local residents have expressed concerns about increased noise from customer arrivals and departures, vehicle movements, loud music, and general disturbance, particularly during the early morning hours. One resident noted that the sound really bounces which is particularly frustrating at night and that the police will likely be able to confirm this as race meets have been reported from there.¹

Trowbridge Town Council has formally objected to the application, stating that the proposed operation may undermine the licensing objectives relating to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.² They believe that increased traffic noise and gatherings of individuals, particularly youths, would cause disturbance to nearby residential properties and that there is a concern about an increase in traffic offences and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Denise Bates, representing the Trowbridge Drynham Ward, has also lodged an objection on behalf of local residents. She highlights that residents have submitted representations expressing concern that activity within the retail park already creates disturbances and that extending the operating hours of the premises would prolong such disturbance later into the evening until 5am in the morning.³

Wiltshire Council's Environmental Protection team has also raised concerns, stating that the proposed hours raises concerns regarding noise, sleep disturbance and loss of residential amenity arising from increased vehicle movements and customer activity.⁴ They also note that measures have previously been introduced restricting vehicle access after 23:00 hours in response to concerns about vehicles gathering within the retail park.

Wiltshire Police have also made representations, expressing serious concerns about Public Safety and the Prevention of Public Nuisance. They highlight the proximity of the premises to a large public park and the existing restrictions on vehicle access to the retail park during the proposed hours. The police are concerned that the extended hours will dramatically increase the general visitor activity and vehicle noise well into the early hours of the morning.⁵ They also note that similar venues that remain open late do not have large parking areas nearby and that areas of this nature have historically attracted the Car Enthusiast Community, which brings issues such as anti-social behaviour, increased vehicle noise, and dangerous driving. The police believe that the application, if granted, will seriously undermine the afore mentioned Licensing Objectives.⁶

The Sub Committee is scheduled to consider the application in light of these representations, the relevant government guidance, and the Council's Licensing Policy. The possible steps the Sub Committee may take include granting the licence with modified conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, or rejecting the application entirely.