This page contains information for members of the public and
businesses wishing to make representations (objections) about
licensing applications. For example, applications for new premises
licences or applications to vary existing premises licences and
club premises certificates made under the Licensing Act 2003.
If you need any help or advice about anything on this page
please contact the Licensing Team, our contact details are at the
bottom of the page.
You can also view or download a factsheet produced by the
Department for Culture, Media & Sport, which gives detailed
advice about making a representation and the procedure
involved:
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening Word and PDF
documents.
What type of licences are granted under the Licensing Act
2003?
Premises licences are granted to a premises to authorise one or
more licensable activities. The licensable activities are as
follows:
- Sale or supply of alcohol.
- Provision of 'regulated entertainment' (which includes live and
recorded music, dancing, indoor sporting events, the performance of
plays, and the exhibition of films).
- Provision of late night refreshment (hot food and hot drink)
between 11pm and 5am.
Once a premises licence has been issued applications can be made
to 'vary' the licence to amend existing licensable activities or
add new ones. These applications to vary follow a similar
application process to the applications for new, first time
licences.
The licensing authority is also able to grant club premises
certificates to registered members’ only clubs to allow club
activities such as the supply of alcohol to club members and the
provision of regulated entertainment. Like premises licences, club
premises certificates can also be varied.
Applications can also be made for provisional statements. While
not a licence as such, these statements are issued for premises
that have not yet been built or premises which are about to be
altered so they can provide licensable activities. The process to
apply for a provisional statement is similar to that for a new
premises licence.
How will I know about these licence applications?
All of the applications mentioned above will be advertised. A
blue notice will be placed at or on the premises for a period of 28
days starting with the day after the application was given to the
Council. A newspaper advert will also appear in a local newspaper
within 10 working days of the application being given to the
Council. You can also look at the Council’s
public register of licences and applications
(new window).
On what grounds can I make a representation?
Objections must be based on or one or more of the following
licensing objectives:
- Prevention of crime and disorder.
- Public safety.
- Prevention of public nuisance.
- Protection of children from harm.
If having seen the notices mentioned above you are concerned
that the grant of the licence would impact on one or more of these
objectives you should consider making a representation.
Does it matter how far I live from the premises?
You should include your name and address when making a
representation. This will help the licensing authority decide
whether or not you are living in the vicinity of the premises were
the application has been made. Please note that your name and
address will be made known to the applicant. If you do not wish to
give us your name or address we will not be able to accept your
objection.
How do I make a representation?
If you wish to object to an application for a licence, you must
put your objection in writing and send it to the Licensing Team
within 28 days of the application being served. You must include
the following information:
- Your name and signature.
- The date you wrote the letter.
- The application that you are opposed to.
- The reasons why you are opposed to the application.
If an objection is being made on behalf of a group (e.g. a
parish council or residents’ association), then proof of the
group's decision to make the objection must be sent to the
Licensing Team along with the objection letter. This could be a
document such as minutes of a meeting.
If a petition is submitted the organiser must:
- Provide their own contact details.
- State clearly the application that is being opposed and the
reason for opposition on each page of the petition.
- Ensure all names and addresses are clearly legible and
preferably written in black ink.
- Show the date the signatures are collected on each
page.
Please note that the Council cannot accept a representation that
is frivolous, vexatious or repetitious.
Frivolous or vexatious will bear their ordinary meaning.
Frivolous means silly or trivial; vexatious means done to cause
annoyance or distress. The licensing authority must form a view as
to whether a reasonable person would consider the comments and
objections to be frivolous or vexatious. A representation will be
considered repetitious if it is identical or substantially similar
to one already considered by the local authority in an earlier
application.
What happens after I have made a representation?
The licensing authority will first carry out some checks to make
sure your representation meets all the requirements of the
legislation. Assuming we can accept it we will then arrange a
licensing committee hearing.
You will be invited to attend the hearing to repeat your
representation although you do not have to attend. You will be sent
a 'notice of hearing' document before the hearing which explains in
detail what will happen at the hearing. A report giving details of
the application and all valid objections will also be sent to you
and the applicant prior to the hearing.
Contact details
For more information and advice please contact:
Licensing Team,
Suffolk Coastal District Council,
Melton Hill,
Woodbridge,
Suffolk IP12 1AU.
Telephone: 01394 444802.
Fax: 01394 385100.
Email:
licensing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
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