EXCLUSIVE: Havering Residents and Councillors vindicated by License decision.

A licensing application by a restaurant in South Hornchurch (BK90 in Elmer Gardens) was recently rejected by the Council’s Licensing Committee due to concerns over various issues e.g. existing noise and disturbance and a lack of confidence in the management’s ability to keep to licensing rules. 

Forty four local resident’s had previously wrote in objections, and a number of locals also attended the hearing.

Ward Councillors Natasha Summers and Graham Williamson were previously approached by many local residents over many months asking for legal/regulatory advice and support for their concerns believing the restaurant was in the wrong place with inadequate parking in a very quiet and narrow residential street. The residents believed, based on what they say they had already experienced, that an alcohol license would be abused. The applicant did not approach ward councillors.  

Councillor Williamson told the Havering Daily: ”Although the resident’s evidence to Committee was very compelling, the licensing proceedings took a nasty turn when the applicant introduced allegations of racial abuse that he had suffered from persons unknown. Whilst such behaviour is totally unacceptable in a civilised society, it had no judicial relevance in an independent Committee’s decision on an application based on material licensing facts.”

He added: “That all aside, not one resident asking us for assistance ever mentioned race. It was deeply unfair and irresponsible to suggest therefore that residents or councillors would countenance such abuse! The residents simply had legitimate concerns based upon earlier behaviour with which the Licensing Committee obviously agreed”.  

Councillors Summers told the Havering Daily: “Although I am sure the applicant will be disappointed with the outcome, as we stated at the hearing, we are more than happy to talk to him to see if there is any way we can assist him going forward.”

The Licensing Committee concluded ‘..that the applicant had given inadequate consideration to the location of the premises within a quiet, deeply residential area, and the steps that should therefore be taken to promote the licensing objectives in a way that protected neighbouring residents from crime, anti-social behaviour and nuisance if a premises licence were granted. Members noted the observations made by residents and Ward Councillors as to the character of the area, and the impact that the operation of the premises was already having on that character’.

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