Council seeks permission to host events including boxing, wrestling and live music
Cllr Stephen Cowan has condemned LBH&F's application for an events licence for Ravenscourt Park believing it will "cause an unacceptable level of disturbance to local residents."
His comments follow the council's application for a premises license to allow a mix of events in Ravenscourt Park including boxing, wrestling and playing amplified live music.
Cllr Cowan, said "It looks like another revenue generating scheme and I think there will be wide spread objections once people find out about the applications"
Permission is sought for 'Regulated Entertainment Mon-Sat 08.00 - 00.00 Sunday 11.00 - 22.00 Sale of alcohol Mon-Sat 11.00 - 00.00 Sunday 11.00 - 22.00 Late Night Refreshment Mon - Sat 23.00 - 00.00'
Ravenscourt Park's current opening times vary according to the season and daylight hours. Official opening time is 07.30 all year round, winter closing time 16.30 summer closing time 22.00.
Cllr Cowan continued "Following enquiries, the initial response from the council is that the licence is for the annual fireworks display - which would be fine. However, those events used to be run on an annual temporary licence. The new licence is not only permanent but also seeks permission for other events."
These include permission:
• to put on boxing and wrestling events
• to be able to sell alcohol
• to be able to play amplified live music
• to allow the playing of recorded music
• to allow late night refreshment
"H&F Council is keen that there is no cap on the number of events so in theory something could be put on in the parks every night, till midnight, throughout the year. The licence application reads like the intent is to make money out of the park by licensing their use for private parties."
The application for Ravenscourt Park can be viewed here. Comments or objections can be emailed directly to the licensing department at licensing@lbhf.gov.uk and quoting the application number: 2007/04074/LAPR by 2nd October. Remember to include full name and home address so that your views can be officially registered.
A spokesperson for LBH&F said "The Government’s Licensing Act 2003 requires that a park must have a premises licence if any event is to take place there. As a result many of the parks across London now have a premises licence. In the past, events that have taken place in the park without temporary licences have been outside the law. We are determined that this does not happen again.
"In advance of the annual Fireworks/Bonfire events, the Resident Services Department has applied for licences in Ravenscourt Park. These cannot take place without a licence. This will avoid the need to re-apply individually for every event held there, which would not be a good use of council taxpayers’ money. All this licence application will do is regularise the status quo.
"This application should not be seen as an indication that we have plans for all the categories of events covered by the notice of the application."
He went onto to state "The council already organises events such as the annual Fireworks night, and has given permission for occasional events such as the recent Garden Opera night. This is the type of event the council wishes to see continue to take place. The council recognises that Ravenscourt Park is for the enjoyment of local residents and their guests and understands that it is not suitable for large events."
September 21, 2007
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