At a hearing, due to take place on May 12, an Eastbourne Borough Council licensing panel is due to consider an application connected with The Saffrons Sports Club in Compton Place Road.
The application seeks a premises licence for The Saffrons’ club house, which would allow for the sale of alcohol from 10am to 11.30pm, seven days a week.
In its application, a spokesman for the sports club said: “A multi-sport ground spanning 22 acres in Eastbourne, East Sussex, [The Saffrons is] the home of cricket, hockey and football in the town.
“The Saffrons is managed by a charitable trust, The Eastbourne Saffrons Sports Club Trust. The sporting facilities, clubhouse and grounds are open all year and available for private hire.
“The clubhouse is available [for] daytime meetings and evening hire from 6.30pm until midnight. [It includes] a staffed bar and clubhouse kitchen for catering. For outside events, we have a sheltered BBQ and terrace and extensive lawned grounds for marquees.
“The application is for all alcohol sales to take place within the clubhouse, but drinks can be consumed within the grounds.”
In a report to the panel, council officers note how the clubhouse had previously been covered by a premises licence, but it had been held in an individual’s name.
Officers say this licence lapsed after the individual — who the report does not name — passed away. The report does not specify when the licence lapsed.
According to the report, the club approached the council about its lapsed licence in January. It initially submitted an application for a replacement licence in February, but this application was rejected due to a failure to meet public notice requirements.
This previous application sought slightly longer hours than what is currently being sought, as well as a more extensive range of licensed activities and special hours for events held on New Year’s Eve.
In the meantime, the sports club has continued to conduct licensed activities using Temporary Event Notices (TENs). It submitted three TENs in February, four in March and has two to come in April. Some of these TENs covered multiple days.
While the sports club has previously held a premises licence, the application has generated a number of objections from local residents. These residents have primarily raised concerns about the potential for noise disturbance.
The council says it received 10 representations during the application’s consultation period, noting how one representation was “supported by 15 people”. The names of all these objectors have been redacted in the public papers.
Officers describe the representation with multiple supporters as a “petition”, although it appears to have taken the form of a pro-forma letter signed and submitted by multiple individuals. This letter sets out eight grounds for objection, although several of these — such as parking and the use of the building — appear to cover planning rather than licensing matters.
The letter reads: “The premises from which alcohol would be sold whether they be the clubhouse or a separate building or anywhere within the Saffrons Grounds would in effect become the first step towards the creation of an entertainment/hospitality venue as opposed to the clubhouse’s existing use as a facility available to members and their guests.
“I am led to believe that it is intended that the existing building will be upgraded/extended so that it may be hired out for hospitality events including weddings.”
The letter adds: “It is inevitable that if the licence sought were to be granted there would be an associated disruptive noise-factor within the surrounding area with the distinct potential that this disruption noise-factor would be experienced by neighbouring residents seven days a week.
“This disturbance would more than likely continue for some time after the closing time for the retail sale of alcohol as sought under the application.”
The Saffrons Sports Club Trust has sought to reassure neighbours that it will not have a greater impact than it currently does.
In its application, a spokesman for the club said: “Members of the Eastbourne Saffrons Sports Club Management Committee accept that their responsibilities for running a well-respected sports club is of huge importance.
“We believe that the club has gained, in the eyes of the police, the licensing authorities and our neighbours, a good reputation over many years. Although the clubhouse is located within 22 acres of playing fields, we are conscious of the surrounding residential area.
“We have always been, and will remain, very aware of the responsibilities to our neighbours.”
Interested parties will each have the opportunity to address the panel before it makes its decision. Interested parties will also be able to appeal decisions made by the panel through the courts.
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