Council Responds to Calls for Special Alcohol Licensing Policy in "Saturated" Headingley (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Council Responds to Calls for Special Alcohol Licensing Policy in "Saturated" Headingley

October 28, 2004 8:53 AM

Headingley Councillors Martin Hamilton and Greg Mulholland are pleased that the Council's Licensing Department has responded to the concerns of local Councillors (e.g. Leeds Weekly News 7th October) and residents by announcing that it is starting the process of gathering evidence to justify a 'special saturation policy' for the Headingley district. The North West Inner Area Committee, representing Headingley, Weetwood, Hyde Park and Kirkstall voted to push for such a policy at a recent meeting.

Cllr Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley), Chairman of the North West Inner Area Committee, said "This is good news, showing that the Council is willing to listen to the concerns of local residents, Ward Councillors and interested parties such as the Police. The Licensing Department has now started the process of gathering evidence which could be used to justify a 'saturation policy'. I very much hope that we can convince the authorities that there is a strong enough case; Headingley is certainly saturated with licensed premises, that much is obvious".

Cllr Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Headingley) added "We already have too many bars and takeaways in Headingley. There are bound to be problems when thousands of drinkers are concentrated into such a small residential area. Once the saturation policy is in place, anyone applying for new or extended licences would have to show that their application would not worsen the situation."

Steps to be followed in considering whether to adopt a special licensing policy are:

· Identify any concerns about crime and disorder or public nuisance.

· Consider whether these concerns are caused by customers of licensed premises (including takeaways and 'feeder trades' such as taxis).

· Identify the boundaries of the area from which any problems are arising.

· Identify areas which may be at risk of such problems in future.