Village cider company wins licence to host events – and refutes ‘NIMBY’ complaints

Harefields Craft Cider producers its cider at their unit at Lakeside in Duncote, and had applied for a licence to South Northamptonshire Council to start selling alcohol and show films and live music on the premises.

But a number of residents had objected to the scheme, but their concerns were not enough to sway members of the council’s licensing sub-committee to refuse the plans.

At a virtual meeting on September 17, the applicants outlined how they wanted to invite people on-site to drink at a public bar, offer cider tastings and potentially host food and drink events.

One resident, Jim Golcher, thought the proposed hours of serving alcohol from 10am until 1am were ‘too long’, and raised concerns of public safety for those exiting the premises at the end of the evening either by car or on foot given the lack of footpath.

Alice Rock, whose business is close to the cider unit, also reaised concerns over the limited site access and car parking. She also highlighted the lack of planning permission for the development, though the committee said they would expect the applicant, Mr David Chambers, to acquire the relevant planning permission before undertaking the development of the site.

Mr Chambers, responding to the complaints, said he was not seeking to trade as a public house and that the vast majority of events would be ticketed with a maximum of 30 people in attendance.

He outlined his hope to hold a small number of larger events such as a cider

festival or cinema event, and said that there would be adequate lighting and safety precautions for people exiting the site. Mr Chambers felt the concerns amounted to ‘NIMBYism’ and said that his close neighbours had not objected to the application.

The sub-committee agreed but revised the timings for the supply of alcohol, both on and off the premises, until midnight instead of 1am.