Hailsham cricket club seeks alcohol licence

A Wealden District Council licensing panel is to consider an application for a licence to sell alcohol at the Hailsham Cricket Club pavilion, which sits in the Western Road Recreation Ground.

The club is seeking a licence to serve alcohol between 10am and 11pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 11.30pm on Saturdays and noon to 10.30pm on Sundays.

However, the application has seen opposition from a neighbour – Mark Kennedy of Western Road – who argues the hours sought are too late and would be likely to have a detrimental impact on neighbours.

In his letter of objection, Mr Kennedy said: “The licensing hours are too long and the proximity to residential properties is too close and it will have an effect on normal family life and property values.

“Parking in the area is always a concern and this will increase the problem.

“The park is used by lots of local people walking dogs and those with children and this will impact on them. Noise pollution will increase, as will littering.

“I would suggest a compromise, that the licensing hours should be no earlier than 1pm and no later than 9pm at the weekends and no earlier than 5.30pm and no later than 9pm on a weekday and subject to cricket matches being played.”

As a result of Mr Kennedy’s concerns, the application is to be formally considered by a panel of councillors, who will hear evidence from the parties involved.

However, the club puts forward a different idea of what the licence will involve and maintains it will only be for a small number of club members and their guests.

In the application, a spokesman for the cricket club said: “We want to offer the community a safe and pleasant experience for families in the local area, we as a club encourage families to join in our activities and we understand we have a duty to provide a safe and happy environment for all of them. All of our committee members will promote our ideals.

“Hailsham Cricket Club will not encourage the sale of alcohol to the public but to their members and guests. Parents are actively encouraged to join in and help on training and match days.”

The spokesman added: “Although we cannot control the noise and public nuisance on the general recreation ground we will respect and keep noise to a respectable level.

“All members will be encouraged to show respect to our neighbours. Litter bins will be provided within our gated area and inside the pavilion. Plastic glasses will be used outside of the pavilion. 

“Visiting teams will also be encouraged to respect the area.”

According to council papers an initial objection from Sussex Police had been withdrawn, after the club agreed to add additional conditions to its licence. These include staff training and a challenge 25 policy.

Council papers also mention a formal sound complaint connected to the club in 2014.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.