Statement of Licensing Policy (2008) WCC - Westminster City Council

2.4.6 Proximity to residential accommodation is a general consideration with regard to theprevention of public nuisance. However the absence of residential accommodation inthe vicinity of premises in an area of cumulative impact is not a reason for exception.The nature of cumulative impact is that it is cumulative and affects not only theimmediate vicinity of the premises, but a wider area; thus the number of people visitingthe premises, the nature of licensable activities and the lateness of operations havean impact on an area as a whole, irrespective of whether or not there is residentialaccommodation in proximity to the premises.2.4.7 Revised Guidance Paragraph 13.36 specifi cally recognises that applications tovary capacities are directly relevant to special policies of cumulative impact. Thisaccords with the council’s view and practice in considering applications to varypremises licences in the Stress areas. Revised Guidance Paragraph 13.34 continuesto recognise that different types of premises have different impacts and it contrastsa large night club or a high capacity public houses with a small restaurant or theatre.This continues to give support for policies directed at different types of premises andlicensable activities in the Stress Areas and treating restaurants differently from pubsand premises with music and dancing.2.4.8 Revised Guidance Paragraph 10.43 recognises that capacity conditions can beattached for the promotion of the prevention of crime and disorder and refer toappropriate ratios of tables and chairs based on the capacity and door supervisionto control numbers on entry and exclude drunk or disorderly individuals. The councilfurther consider that prescribed capacity and the provision of minimum levels ofseating and tables can also promote the licensing objective of the prevention of publicnuisance. Customers who have been seated in premises which are not crowded willbehave differently; they are less likely to have been talking at high volume and willleave the premises more quietly than the greater number of customers in equivalentlysized premises without capacity limits with more vertical drinking.2.4.9 The introduction of measures to reduce the extent of or remove opportunities forvertical drinking can address the underlying reasons for the special policies forcumulative impact. This can be by introducing fi xed seating and the conditions toprovide a minimum number of seats at all times and limiting sales to be by waiter orwaitress service only.442.4.10 The extension of hours beyond the core hours is of concern as there are greaterproblems of late night transport and disturbance. Late at night there is less maskingbackground noise and disturbance is greater if people are trying to sleep or are wokenup. Police resources are more stretched later at night.