The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee met to discuss an application for a variation to the Premises Licence for The Log Cabin, on Whipps Cross Road in Leytonstone. The Log Cabin is a cafe located within the boundary of Epping Forest. Representations were received from other persons expressing concerns about the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder.

Variation of a premises licence: The Log Cabin, Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, E11 1NR

The report pack contains an application from Mr Yasin Siddiqi to vary the existing Premises Licence, which currently only authorises the sale of late night refreshment between 23:00 and 05:00. The application requests the addition of the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises between 07:00 and 23:00, and an extension of the opening hours to between 06:00 and 05:00 the next day.

Alcohol consumed on the premises (the outside dining area) will be served ancillary to a table meal.

Three representations were received from other persons during the consultation.

Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE submitted a representation objecting to the granting of any alcohol licence for the cafe. He argued that the granting of a licence would fundamentally change the very nature of this business and would create serious ASB, not least in the car park behind it, and environmental challenges in terms of litter etc endangering the wildlife and creating extra fire risks. He went on to say that This location is in close proximity to a site of special scientific interest and is right on the edge of Epping Forest.

Councillor Marie Pye also submitted a representation objecting to the application on the grounds of antisocial behaviour. She argued that These premises already open into the evening selling food and non-alcoholic drinks but yet the area is one with significant ASB particularly young people in cars with Nitrous oxide canisters. Adding alcohol into this situation would just make it very much worse.

Tristan Vetta, Epping Forest Land Agent & Planning Officer, submitted a representation on behalf of the City of London Corporation, objecting to the application on the grounds that The Log Cabin is currently operating under a street vending licence and therefore cannot claim to have an outside seating area.

The report pack also contains the following statement from the applicant, Mr Yasin Siddiqi:

WE HAVE 24/7 CCTV ON THE PREMISES. MAKE SURE NOT TO SELL ALCOHOL TO THOSE ALREADY INTOXICATED. CHECKING ID TO ENSURE ALL INDIVDUALS THAT LOOK UNDER 25 HAVE PROOF OF AGE. REFUSING SALE IF IN DOUBT. BEING AWARE OF FAKE ID AND ONLY ACCEPTING FOLLOWING: Validate UK, Connexions, Portman, Citizen Card

The report pack recommends that the Sub-Committee consider the application and decide to either grant the application in full, grant the application in part, or refuse the application.