Pub withdraws opening hours application in face of local opposition

The Foresters Arms has withdrawn an application to open into the early hours, following objections from local residents. 

Wiltshire Council’s eastern area licensing committee was due to consider an application by Star Pubs and Bars – the licensed premises arm of Heineken UK – to extend the hours at the Foresters Arms on Sandridge Road.

The firm was seeking permission to open until 12.30am from Monday to Thursday and until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub currently has a licence to serve alcohol until 11pm Monday to Thursday and half past midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

No variation was requested for Sunday opening hours, which are currently 9am until 11pm.

Ahead of the licensing hearing, Wiltshire Council received 29 representations from members of the public objecting to the application, as well as statements from Wiltshire Police and the council’s own environmental health department.

Noise and anti-social behaviour were among the concerns raised.

One of the letters of objection was from Jennie Westbrook, the Wiltshire councillor for Melksham Forest, who said electors had complained to her about “excessive noise, smashed glass and bottles left along Sandridge Road and surrounding residential streets.”

She said, “These complaints already occur under the current licence conditions, and residents are deeply concerned that extending opening into the early hours of the morning will lead to even greater disruption.

“I have personally spoken with the proprietor of the Foresters Arms. While I do not believe their intentions are anything other than to build a thriving, successful pub, it is clear that they have not engaged meaningfully with the local community.

“Residents tell me they feel ignored and dismissed; there has been little effort by the current management to introduce themselves to neighbours or to understand and address the concerns being raised. This lack of engagement has significantly contributed to the strength of feeling among local residents.”

The council’s public protection officer, Lucy Ayres, wrote, “The area is predominantly residential, with neighbouring residential properties bordering the premises boundary.

“Extending the hours of alcohol sales and opening of the premises will lead to noise from people on site, patrons leaving and vehicle movements extending to 02.30am on Friday and Saturday nights, and 00.30 am Monday to Thursday.

“An extension of these activities is likely to have a negative impact on the neighbourhood amenity of the area for those living nearby.

“We are of the opinion that additional licence conditions would not fully prevent the occurrence of public nuisance should the variation be approved, and as such the environmental protection team are not in support of this licence variation application.”

Richard Tottle, police alcohol licensing officer for Wiltshire Police (West Wilts), wrote, “If this variation is approved the venue would be open until 02:30hrs. I strongly urge as I set out in my suggested new Licensing Conditions that door supervisors (SIA) would need to be employed in line with the other late-night venues that currently exist for premises in Melksham town centre.

“It also needs to be highlighted that if there is disorder, the two recommend SIA will get no support from other door staff due to the venue’s location, support that is due to proximity, available to SIA in the town centre.

“I am concerned that the application has only requested an extension to the alcohol sales and the opening hours, there is no application to extend any entertainment or music at the venue, which could then getting a reputation as a late-night drinking establishment and that alone.

“The police also raised concerns about drink driving and public nuisance, including “general intoxication, anti-social behaviour, littering, and light pollution.”

Star Pubs is currently advertising the tenancy of the pub. The company has been approached for comment about its plans for longer opening hours.