Appendix C
REP A
From: REDACTED
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2024 8:36 PM
To: EHL Licensing <EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Subject: Licence - 1445/3/2024/01129/LAPREN
CH CON ENDS 02.05.2024 VALID PPN and PCH (A)
Dear Licencing Team,
I would like to make a representation about the Licencing application from Hove Fitness Club, 2 St Heliers Avenue, BN3 5RE.
REDACTED
My concerns are that an alcohol license in this location could cause noise and
disruption in a peaceful residential environment. I understand that the
gym would permit people to consume alcohol from 12-10pm every day on the
outside terrace which REDACTED
Furthermore, I have REDACTED which are in direct REDACTED and I am concerned that an alcohol licence could impact their peace, particularly in the evening when they are sleeping.
Therefore, my concerns apply to two of the licensing objectives:
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm
Please keep me informed about this application.
Many thanks,
REDACTED
REP B
From: REDACTED
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2024 5:57 PM
To: EHL Licensing <EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Cc: REDACED
Subject: Representations on licence application
1445/3/2024/01129/LAPREN, Hove Fitness Club, St Heliers Avenue
CH CON ENDS 02.05.2024 VALID PPN (B)
Licence - 1445/3/2024/01129/LAPREN
Name and addresses:
REDACTED
Premises name: Hove Fitness Club
Premises address: 2 St Heliers Avenue, Hove BN3 5RE
To whom it may concern,
We are pleased by the recent arrival of Hove Fitness Club and their investment in the former Sports Direct site on St Heliers Avenue, Hove as a community focussed gym, following a lengthy period of closure. While this is welcome, we do wish to express concerns about the application for an alcohol licence, and also to play recorded music, and particularly the precedent this could set.
The premises is uniquely located, set back off St Heliers
Avenue and surrounded on all sides by residential properties and a secluded
green space, Davis Park. While there are some commercial premises nearby, these
all front onto Portland Road and are generally early closing. The predominant
character of the area is residential, and overwhelmingly it is quiet. The very
limited amount of background noise, particularly in the evenings, makes the
surrounding properties particularly sensitive to disturbance from noise.
We therefore ask that due consideration is given to maintaining quality of
life and environment for us and other neighbouring properties. The
representations below are made on the grounds of the prevention of public
nuisance, due to increased noise within and outside the premises, particularly
in the evening.
While we do not wish to oppose the application, we do ask that a condition of
licence be made that would restrict the sale of alcohol strictly to gym members
only. We would ask that the license be conditioned to conclude at 9.30pm, 30
minutes before the closing time of the premises (10.00pm), as would seem usual
practice for licenced premises. We would also ask the license be conditioned
that no alcohol can be consumed outside of the premises.
It would be inappropriate for the gym to operate a public bar, or set any
future precedent for that to happen. A public bar would not be in keeping with
the nature and use of the site, as a gym, or the surrounding wholly residential
area, as described. Nor should any precedent be set for the bar to open and
operate beyond gym hours or for alcohol to be consumed outside.
We do experience some noise from the gym, from the recorded music and PA system
used for fitness classes by the instructors, including on the weekend and
mornings. This has been improved by the recent upgrades to the building,
specifically new air conditioning, by the new occupiers (meaning windows are
now kept closed during classes), but it is still clearly audible. Currently,
noise of music/PA from the premises does not take place in the later evening,
when the gym is open. Therefore, we request that doors and windows should not
be open in the evenings if PA/recorded music is being used in the cafe/bar
area.
The entrance/exit to the gym opens directly onto the back of our and other
properties within this quiet and secluded area. Any noise of people leaving from
social activity in the bar is likely to be louder than the noise made by
regular gym goers, particularly in summer months when we and other homes keep
windows open. We request that the gym operators place signs on the exit to the
building and in the car park to remind members and their guests to leave
quietly.
These representations are made to explain our concerns given that limited
information is presented in the application itself about exactly who the
licence is intended to serve and the statement to operate 'as a social'. We ask
you to consider appropriate conditions to any licence, as we have set out, that
would allow the gym to meet its apparent aims while respecting and not
adversely impacting on ourselves and neighbouring properties.
We would be grateful to receive confirmation that our
representations have been received.
Yours sincerely,
REDACTED