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| DIMCO Buildings - an entertainment venue? |
If you would like to comment on the application, you can do so at the official site. Once you register a view, you will be notified of the time and date of the hearing and, if you feel strongly, you can attend the hearing and offer your views.
Westfield expansion
Westfield has recently greatly expanded its footprint, becoming in the process the UK's largest shopping centre, but the DIMCO buildings, a former electrical station for the Central Line which (slightly curiously) has listed building status, has remained intact.
Westfield did not have planning permission to remove the DIMCO buildings (where scenes from Who Framed Roger Rabbit were filmed), but this was described at their website as one of their "aspirations for the future", in order to create "a spectacular new civic square which could provide a variety of uses throughout the year". For now, Westfield have settled on turning DIMCO into an entertainment venue.
The headline summary of the application is as follows:
"Licensing Act - Premises Licence "...multi function events space and entertainment venue..." Provision of Regulated entertainment including; plays; films; indoor sporting events; live music; recorded music; performances of dance and anything of a similiar description, On the premises. Monday to Sunday 08.00 until 01.00. The provision of late night refreshment. On the premises. Monday to Sunday 23.00 until 01.30. Sale by retail of alcohol. On and off the premises. Monday to Sunday 10.00 until 01.00. Hours open to the public: Monday to Sunday 08.00 until 01.30. Non-Standard timings: That the start of British Summertime the terminal hour for opening hours shall be extended by one hour. That on New Year`s Eve opening hours shall also be permitted between the end of the hours permitted for opening hours on New Year`s Eve to the start of the hours permitted for opening on New Year`s Day. To extend the provision of licensable activities on 25 occasions per year until 03.00, notice of which will be given to the Police and Licensing Authority 21 days before each event with the premises closing 30 minutes thereafter".
Note in particular that this is an application for a license to open until 1am 7 days of the week, including sundays, and - for 25 days a year - until 3am.
Possible objections
Not everyone will be happy. Local residents, especially those in nearby Macfarlane Rd, will undoubtedly fear the extra traffic and disturbance that is the inevitable consequence of night-time entertainment. Shepherd's Bush itself is already a Saturation Zone (though Westfield itself is not included), and anyone who has sat in the seemingly endless traffic jam that is Wood Lane can hardly long for more visitors.
Grounds for objection
If you do want to object, you must object on the proper grounds. Under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003, all licence applications must comply with four licensing objectives including:
So, any objections to a license application should focus on one or more of these objectives.
It's also a good idea to make your criticism as constructive as possible. For example, you might come up with reasonable suggestions for how problems could be mitigated.
The Power of Conditions
Remember that one of the things that the Council can do is impose reasonable conditions on the license holder. For example, the operators might be required to employ traffic ambassadors to help smooth traffic and move on the minicab drivers who tend to wait for customers in Macfarlane Rd, and could be considered a public nuisance. LBHF might ask for a certain number of security staff to make sure visitors arrive and leave peacefully, helping to prevent crime and disorder.
In the end, LBHF is probably likely to grant the license in some form, but the devil will be in the detail.
Grounds for objection
If you do want to object, you must object on the proper grounds. Under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003, all licence applications must comply with four licensing objectives including:
- the prevention of crime and disorder.
- public safety.
- the prevention of public nuisance.
- the protection of children from harm.
So, any objections to a license application should focus on one or more of these objectives.
It's also a good idea to make your criticism as constructive as possible. For example, you might come up with reasonable suggestions for how problems could be mitigated.
The Power of Conditions
Remember that one of the things that the Council can do is impose reasonable conditions on the license holder. For example, the operators might be required to employ traffic ambassadors to help smooth traffic and move on the minicab drivers who tend to wait for customers in Macfarlane Rd, and could be considered a public nuisance. LBHF might ask for a certain number of security staff to make sure visitors arrive and leave peacefully, helping to prevent crime and disorder.
In the end, LBHF is probably likely to grant the license in some form, but the devil will be in the detail.
The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog(at)gmail.com.
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