Progress is being made in dealing with problems of noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour around bars and clubs in Whalley, Ribble Valley councillors have said.
A special licensing arrangement for Whalley, called a cumulative impact assessment, was recently renewed by Ribble Valley Council.
It means businesses in Whalley such as shops, take-aways, bars, cafes, restaurants or clubs seeking a new licence, or changes to an existing licence, for alcohol sales, live music, DJ sets or public opening hours, must show how their plans will not make existing pressures worse.
Whalley’s buzzing hospitality scene has been the focus of debate in recent years.
Some residents, especially around the Queen Street area, have complained about issues such as customer, music and traffic noise; litter, anti-social behaviour and crime, which they say stems from revellers, especially at weekends and late at night.
This spring, Ribble Valley councillors decided the cumulative impact assessment for Whalley is still justified, should be renewed and included in the borough’s licensing policy.
Taxi transport is another consideration. A bus stop and loading bay area on Accrington Road, Whalley, could be used as a taxi rank between midnight and 5.30am, if agreed by authorities.
In past meetings, some Ribble Valley councillors have criticised what they believe have been poor licensing decisions, for example around late-night hours, or an alleged lack of monitoring or enforcement action by the council in the past.
However, some other councillors and officers have defended the council’s actions. They have also stressed that Whalley residents can request a licensing review any time for any venue they have concerns about.
At the latest full council meeting, Conservative Councillor Kevin Horkin said he felt progress was being made. It came as councillors reviewed recent committee meetings including licensing.
Cllr Horkin said: “Regarding the Whalley cumulative impact assessment, I want to thank the acting council leader and the licensing committee chairman because in the past I have been critical about the blight and misery caused to residents.
"But I was heartened by the recent licensing committee meeting about Whalley and I think this matter is being handled well. I hope it will be given a bit more direction.”
Independent Cllr Ian Brown, the licensing committee chair, said: “I want to thank people for their support on this, for keeping this topic front-and-centre.
"Also thanks to councillors who have kept-up with this and Cllr Simon Hore (acting leader), who has taken it to another level. We will keep everyone up to date.”
In another licensing topic, councillors are to look at requiring CCTV cameras in hackney and private hire taxis.
On this possibility, Cllr Horkin said: “This topic is a perennial problem. Many other areas have the benefit of taxi CCTV cameras.
"I think it is extremely important that it encapsulates both hackney and private hire taxis. I think it’s a positive move. I wonder if it has traction on the licensing committee and are we likely to see it in future?”
Cllr Brown replied: “This has been discussed in and outside licensing. We’ll be having a presentation soon from a national expert on taxi CCTV.
"There are views that it is beneficial for both passengers and drivers. We’ll give more updates.”
Share