From: Lisa Postiglione 
Sent: 28 August 2020 12:41
To: Licensing <
licencing@sevenoaks.gov.uk>
Subject: Comments regarding application: 20/01813/LAPRE

 

Dear Licensing,

 

I have tried to submit my comments online for this application but it keeps saying system error.

I have attached my comments in this email and would be grateful if they can be passed along to the licensing officer.

 

Thank you

 

Lisa Postiglione

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments regarding the late-night opening of German Doner Kebab

 

1.)    Prevention of Crime and Disorder-

I strongly oppose the comments made in the application. This application fails to mention exactly what actions the owner will take in regard to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour associated with their late night opening hours. I have been a long time resident of the High Street and can confirm establishments with late night opening hours attract enormous amounts of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Maidstone High Street already has extremely high crime rates that are linked with anti social behaviour and drug use. Most people on the High Street during the night time have consumed large amount of alcohol. The late night opening will attract more intoxicated patrons who are more likely to engage in  criminal activity as they are unaware of their actions.

This application fails to mention how many staff members will be on hand to control patrons for these late night opening hours. Will the staff be trained to handle crime and anti-social behaviour? Will the premises have CCTV?

Other eatery establishments on Week St who are open late such as McDonalds have hired a security guard because of the amount of crime and anti-social behaviour that occurs. Will there be a security guard on the premises during late night hours?

Ultimately, these late-night opening hours will increase crime in the area and put increased pressure on the Kent Police which is already stretched to capacity.

The application for late night opening should be rejected as they have not provided enough security measures to control crime and anti-social  behavior associated with late night openings.

 

 

2.)    Public Safety- I strongly oppose the comments made in the application in regard to public safety.

The application fails to mention how many customers will be allowed to remain in the premises for their late night opening. If all  90 proposed customers can be accommodated for their late night opening, this will create a significant amount of noise and disruption. As the majority of patrons will most likely be intoxicated, this will create a major public safety risk. Again, this will place increased pressure on the Kent police to control this antisocial behaviour.

As this establishment is located directly across from McDonalds which already attracts large amounts of crime and antisocial activity, these late night opening hours will only exacerbate the problem.

This premises is also located within close proximity of Benchley Gardens which is know for its high crime rates and antisocial behaviours. These late night hours will attract more knife and drug crime to the area.

 

The late night opening means customers who attend this facility in these late night hours will have no access to public transport. This means they will be hanging outside until the early mornings. This will increase crime and anti-social behaviour.

This application for late night opening hours should be rejected as this establishments will jeopardize the safety of nearby residents with its proximity to McDonalds and Brenchley Gardens.  As most late-night patrons of this establishments will be intoxicated and disorderly, this will bring additional crime to an area that already has an extremely high crime rate.

 

 

3.)    Prevention of Public Nuisance- I strongly oppose the comments made in the application. This application fails to mention how the premises will manage customers when leaving the venue.

Although the applicant does mention its establishment has sound control, does it have a report from a sound engineer to verify this?

Additional, there is a large block of residential flats located directly above this late night establishment. This block of flats is called Faith House. There are two other blocks of f;ats located beside Faith House and behind it. This means there are 4 residential blocks of flats within proximity of this establishment.

There are many young families with babies and essential workers in the building. There are NHS essential workers with early shift patterns who live in this building. These late night hours will significantly impact their ability to rest peacefully in their residence.

Furthermore, the current ongoing construction of the premises has already created multiple noise disturbances.

On numerous occasions during the construction of this commercial premises, there have been construction works that occur after 6pm on Friday nights.

As this applicant was not following the proper procedures in regards to construction noise, it leaves doubts as to whether any disturbances from these late night hours will be handled properly.

As a resident of Maidstone, we should expect peace and quiet in the late night hours.

Furthermore, this application does not mention how the premises is going to

handle food waste generated from this business. Currently the main fast food outlets have litter and waste littered along the High Street. This application fails to mention if they will have waste bins outside their facility to accommodate the large amount of food waste that will be produced.

The entrance of Faith House is located directly beside this proposed establishment. Litter from McDonalds and other fast food restaurants is always located on the steps of our building. These proposed late night opening hours will only increase the amount of food waste that is left in our premises Faith House. There are also many people who urinate and vomit at the front entrance of our block of flats. Is this establishment going to have toilets for their patrons? If not, this will again increase the amount of people who urinate on the front steps of Faith House. Our block of flats is often vandalised as well from disorderly behaviour on the High Street.

 

Currently in the courtyard of Faith House, there is no additional space for rubbish bins.

 Where is the food waste going to be dumped from this premises?

 

The smell from the restaurant has not been adequately addressed. The late night opening hours means that residents will have to endure the smell of strong cooking for longer than expected.

This application should be rejected as the residents of Faith House are located directly above this premises will be severely impacted with these late night opening hours. The noise, disturbances and waste produced will have a detrimentally effect to our quality of life as residents of Faith House.  

 

4.)    Protection of Children from Harm-

This application fails to mention what this premises is doing to combat childhood obesity. As obesity is currently a health epidemic in the UK, another fast food restaurant will add to this growing crisis especially in an area of deprivation such as Maidstone High Street.

With the purposed late-night opening hours, this will allow children access to fast food late at night when other healthier options should be promoted. Fast food will attract children and teenagers who will create anti-social behaviour.