A CONTROVERSIAL music event which was being planned for New Year’s Eve has been thrown out by Pendle Council’s Licensing Committee.
The proposed event came before the committee on Monday after Pendle police objected to the party on the grounds it would undermine the prevention of crime.
The applicant, Mr Michael Rowley from Small Trees, a promotion company, requested permission for a Temporary Event Notice to hold the party for 499 people in a disused unit on Primet Business Centre, Burnley Road, Colne, between 8 p.m. on December 31st, and 4 a.m. on January 1st.
Within the application, Mr Rowley had asked to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, provide regulated entertainment and late-night refreshments.
After the decision was made, Sgt Michelle Dixon, from Pendle police’s licensing division, said the committee had “made the right call”.
PC Mark Driver put forward the police’s case at the meeting saying the force had “grave concerns” about the proposed event and this was the first time in his memory Pendle police had objected to a TEN.
PC Driver outlined the police’s objection and that the main concern hinged on control of the premises.
He said he was concerned at the lack of safety exits, CCTV in the premises and the small number of door staff on the initial notice.
PC Driver went on to say that for an event such as this he would have expected six doorstaff to be working, not the indicated three, and there should be toilet facilities to stop people potentially urinating in the street.
He added that at these types of events there was anecdotal evidence of drug use and abuse.
When putting his case forward, Mr Rowley said a multi-camera CCTV system would be in place on the night, the number of fully-trained door staff could be increased up to 10 without problems, portable toilets could be erected and he had an agreement with a builder to put in an additional safety door within “two to three days”.
Mr Rowley added he had successfully held a festival in Trawden in the summer which dealt with minor incidents of trouble in a responsible manner and had rectified an issue of noise following complaints from residents.
However, after retiring to consider a verdict, chairman of the Licensing Committee, Coun. Eileen Ansar returned saying the committee had reached a “unanimous decision to serve the Counter Notice”.
Coun. Ansar said it was “necessary”, firstly because the lack of toilet facilities could lead to incidents of “indecent exposure and breaches of the peace”, secondly due to the “number of suitable security staff” and thirdly, “in light of the condition given to Mr Rowley” for the cultivation of cannabis.
It is not known whether Mr Rowley will appeal the decision.
