Here is a summary of the agenda for the Licensing Panel Hearing of the Uttlesford District Council's Licensing and Environmental Health Committee on 9 September 2025. The meeting was scheduled to include the election of a chair, and to consider an application for the variation of a premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to be held at the Council Chamber, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden.

Application for Variation of a Premises Licence - The Goat and Grass

The main item for discussion was an application for a variation of a premises licence at The Goat & Grass, 8-8A Cross Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1EX.

According to the Committee Report Goat Grass V4, the application was made under the Licensing Act 2003 to vary a premises licence. Although no objections were received from any of the responsible authorities, two representations from other persons were received, which led to the matter being referred to the Licensing Panel for determination.

The report stated that in determining the application, the panel should consider:

UDC's Statement of Licensing Policy, Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003; the representations attached to this report and any further relevant information presented to the Panel on the day of the Hearing

The report noted that the panel had several options:

• Grant the variation in full
• Grant the variation in part and/or to add additional conditions
• Reject the variation in full

The Goat Grass Application for Variation APPENDIX B was submitted by Mr Sukru Gok, and sought to:

• Amalgamate the licensed area formerly known as The Little Goat into one licensed premises known as The Goat & Grass
• Extend the hours for the supply of alcohol and change consumption to both on and off the premises
• Add authorisation for recorded music both indoors and outdoors

Currently, The Goat and Grass Premises Licence APPENDIX A allows the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 11:00 and 17:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and 11:00 to 23:00 Thursday to Saturday. The Little Goat Premises Licence APPENDIX D allows the playing of recorded music indoors between 08:00 and 17:00 Monday to Sunday, and the sale of alcohol between 11:30 and 17:00 Monday to Sunday.

The Goat Grass Email Confirmation of Amendments_Redacted APPENDIX C confirms that Mr Gok was applying to make the following changes to the licence:

• Sale of Alcohol ON and OFF the premises
• Recorded Music INSIDE and OUTSIDE
• Sale of Alcohol from 11:00 - 23:00 Monday to Sunday
• To amalgamate the licensed area formerly known as The Little Goat into one licensed premises known as The Goat & Grass

A plan of the premises was included as part of the report pack.

A representation was received from Angelina Truman-Williams, a resident of Cross Street, Saffron Walden, who objected to the application on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. Ms Truman-Williams stated that she was already subject to frequent and significant noise disturbances under the current licensed hours, and that the proposed extension of operating hours and introduction of outdoor music would dramatically exacerbate these issues.

Essex Police confirmed that they had no representations regarding this application.

In response to the representations, Mr Gok confirmed that he wished to play recorded music indoors and outdoors until 17:00 and indoors only until 23:00. He further confirmed that he was not currently planning on opening until 23:00, instead he was requesting it should it be needed in future, and that the music style would be ambient background music and not high volume.

The Licensing Act 2003 states that the licensing objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

The report stated that there is no hierarchy of importance among the objectives, and all must be given equal weight.