The Licensing Sub Committee of Epping Forest District Council was scheduled to convene to address a single primary agenda item: a new premises licence application for Taru, located at 77-79 Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill. The committee was to consider the application, along with resident responses and a letter from the applicant.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Taru, 77-79 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill

The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to review a new premises licence application submitted by Jawad Jahangir of The Forest Lounge LTD for Taru, a proposed restaurant and bar at 77-79 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill.

The application specified the following proposed licensable activities:

• Live and recorded music (indoors) from 23:00 to 00:00 on Thursdays, and from 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Performances of dance (indoors) from 23:00 to 00:00 on Thursdays, and from 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Late-night refreshment (indoors) from 23:00 to 00:00 on Thursdays, and from 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Sale of alcohol (on-sales only) from 12:00 to 23:00 Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 to 00:00 on Thursdays, 12:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:00 to 23:00 on Sundays.
• Opening hours from 12:00 to 23:30 Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 to 00:30 on Thursdays, 12:00 to 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:00 to 23:30 on Sundays.

The report pack included the New Premises application, which stated that Taru would be a restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean and European cuisine, with food-led alcohol sales and live music events. It also stated that the premises would have approximately 80 covers at ground floor level and space for about another 20 customers at the bar area.

The Public reports pack 16th-Sep-2025 10.15 Licensing Sub Committee included a letter to residents from Mike Nickson, Director of INN Confidence, acting on behalf of Jawad Jahangir of The Forest Lounge Ltd, regarding the application. The letter sought to reassure residents, stating that Jawad Jahangir was genuinely saddened to learn of your concerns, and that he is committed to building positive relationships with local residents and operating his business in a way that causes no nuisance or disruption. The letter also stated that Taru is to be a high-class restaurant and completely separate and distinct from any business that may have operated at this location previously, and that the application offers a comprehensive set of robust, enforceable conditions designed to ensure that the premises operates in full accordance with the Licensing Objectives¹.

Objections

The council received 17 representations, including objections from residents, Buckhurst Hill Parish Council, and the Environmental Enforcement Team. These objections related to concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety.

Several residents raised concerns about potential noise and disturbance, citing previous issues with a similar business at the same location. Colette Hanley of Queens Road, wrote that her life in my home was blighted by their operation. The music they played, although indoors, reverberated sufficiently to make some of the windows shake and sleep impossible. She also stated that she did not feel safe with the loud groups of people gathering under her bedroom window.

Nigel Smith, another resident of Queens Road, stated that as a resident at Queens Road, I was greatly impacted (both quality of life and mental health) by the previous business at 79 Queens Road, the restaurant / bar named Soirée.

Buckhurst Hill Parish Council objected to the extended hours sought in the licensing application, and requested a reduction of the existing hours to 11pm unless the applicant takes material steps to add sound-proofing to the building including a front atrium to dampen sound as patrons enter and exit the building. They also requested that a sound limiter be installed on the premises.

The Environmental Enforcement Officer, Dariush Asrar, stated that while the premises have provided their suggestions for Prevention of Public Nuisance, I do not believe that this is sufficient when taking into account the hours requested for music, live singing, dancing and hours open to the public. Dariush Asrar suggested several conditions to allay my concerns to some extent although I am of the opinion that any music outside would be likely to cause a Statutory Nuisance.

Reiss James of Buckhurst Hill wrote to object under the Licensing Act 2003, stating that the premises is located within a mews, directly adjoining eight newly built residential flats (Buckhurst Mews), with further flats immediately above the licensed premises. This is a residential enclave, not a high street late-night zone.

Conditions Agreed with Essex Police

Essex Police agreed to a set of conditions to be added to the licence if granted, including:

• A written notice of 'authority' record for all staff who sell alcohol.
• Contact details of the Designated Premises Supervisor available to staff and to the authorities.
• The premises will operate as a bona-fide restaurant where alcohol is sold primarily to complement the provision of substantial food to seated diners.
• The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system as per the minimum requirements of the Essex Police Licensing Team.
• A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open.
• No noise generated on the premises, or by its associated plant or equipment, shall emanate from the premises nor vibration be transmitted through the structure of the premises which gives rise to a nuisance.
• Live or recorded music from regulated entertainment shall not be audible at the nearest noise sensitive property, which might otherwise cause a disturbance to local residents.
• Any complaints received about noise shall be logged and any appropriate remedial action taken as a matter of urgency.
• Satisfactory arrangements will be put in place to supervise an orderly dispersal of customers when leaving the restaurant to ensure the minimum of noise and disturbance to local residents and businesses.
• The property will be promoted as family friendly and suitable for all ages. There will be no inappropriate entertainment, promotions, activities or behaviour tolerated at the premises that might put children at risk. There will be an effective age verification policy in accordance with the mandatory code.

The Public reports pack 16th-Sep-2025 10.15 Licensing Sub Committee stated that Essex Police also felt that the following condition should be added to the application:

Clear and legible notices must be prominently displayed at all exits requesting customers to respect local residents and leave the area quietly. These signs shall be a minimum size of 200mm x 148mm.

Options Available to the Sub-Committee

In considering the application, the Sub-Committee had several options:

• Grant the licence as applied for, subject to conditions from the Operating Schedule, modified as necessary, and mandatory conditions specified in the Licensing Act 2003.
• Exclude certain licensable activities from the scope of the licence.
• Refuse to specify a person as the premises supervisor.
• Reject the application.

The Sub-committee was asked to consider the application based on the report, representations, any additional information obtained during the hearing, the council's licensing policy, guidance issued by the Secretary of State, and the steps appropriate to promote the licensing objectives.