The Licensing Panel of Hounslow Council is scheduled to convene on 22 December 2025 to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence, and to review the council's policy on declaring interests. The main focus of the meeting will be the application concerning 299-303 Chiswick High Road, with the panel considering representations and objections to the proposed changes. Councillors will also be reminded of the importance of declaring any relevant interests.

Licensing Act 2003 - 299-303 Chiswick High Road

The Licensing Panel will consider an application by KSMV Properties Ltd for the variation of a premises licence at 299-303 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 4HH. The applicant, KSMV Properties Ltd, is seeking to extend the licensing and trading hours by one hour on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on evenings preceding public holidays. The proposed variation would apply to both the ground floor and basement of the premises.

The report pack details the proposed changes to the licensable activities:

• Supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises: Sunday to Thursday 09:00 to 00:30, Friday to Saturday 09:00 to 02:00
• Live music, Recorded music (Indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 to 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 to 02:00
• Late-night Refreshment (Indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 to 00:30, Friday to Saturday 23:00 to 02:00
• Hours premises are open to the public: Sunday to Thursday 09:00 to 00:30, Friday to Saturday 09:00 to 02:00

Currently, the premises' licence permits the supply of alcohol, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshments until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with the premises closing at 01:30 on those days.

The report pack notes that the premises are in an area of mixed residential and commercial properties. The Licensing Panel has the option to grant the application in full, grant it with modifications, or reject it in whole or in part.

The report pack includes several appendices containing representations for and against the application. Steven Maunders, Senior Principal Regulatory Officer at London Borough of Hounslow, has submitted a representation outlining concerns about noise from the premises, particularly with the proposed extension of hours and use of the ground floor. Councillor Joanna Biddolph, ward councillor for Chiswick Gunnersbury, has objected to the application, citing concerns about potential increases in crime, risks to public safety, and public nuisance. Councillor Biddolph raises concerns about breaches of licensing conditions and planning permission, the disruptive effect of music on nearby residents, poor waste management, vermin, drug taking and dealing, homelessness, and public safety. Councillor Biddolph suggests a year's trial period to ensure compliance before agreeing to increased hours. Other representations from local residents echo concerns about noise and disturbance. One representation in support of the application has been received from Councillor Ranjit Gill, ward councillor for Chiswick Gunnersbury, who believes the extension is in line with neighbouring establishments and will help the local economy.

The report pack also includes a copy of the existing premises licence, which includes conditions relating to CCTV, staff training, incident logs, noise control, and preventing customers from taking drinks outside.

The Licensing Panel must consider the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 and Hounslow Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25. The council's licensing policy outlines general principles, licensing objectives, core licensing hours, and policies relating to 'off' sales of alcohol, planning status, external areas, temporary event notices and personal licences. The licensing objectives are: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25 also refers to cumulative impact areas¹, and states that in areas where there are a high number of licensed premises, the council may adopt special local 'saturation' policies.

Monitoring Officer Note on Interests

Councillors will be reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests² or other registerable interests relating to matters discussed at the meeting. Benita Edwards, Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer, has provided a guidance note to assist councillors in determining whether they have an interest in any agenda item. The guidance note refers to the Members' Code of Conduct and provides definitions of disclosable pecuniary interests and other registerable interests. It also provides guidance on predetermination and bias, advising members to consider the merits of each case with an open mind.