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RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee, having considered the application on its individual merits, all the committee papers, the statutory guidance made under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, the council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy and oral representations made on behalf of the applicant, by ward members and by local residents, GRANTED the application subject to the agreed conditions with Pollution Control; and the additional conditions that any events must have the approval of the Highways Authority; and that the licence can only be used for six events per year.
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RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee, having considered the application on its individual merits, all the committee papers, the statutory guidance made under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, the council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy and oral representations made on behalf of the applicant, by ward members and by local residents, GRANTED the application subject to the agreed conditions with Pollution Control; and the additional conditions that any events must have the approval of the Highways Authority; and that the licence can only be used for six events per year.
Present: Applicant: Jeremy Phillips KC Jenny Bradley (Events & Communications Officer) Jonathan Day (OM Tourism & Investment) Heather Brown (Events Development Manager) Ruth Cayford (OM Creative Industries & Culture Development) Simon Gilbert (Head of Planning) Stewart Higgins (Events Safety Officer) Jennie Judd (OM Parks Services) Jon Maidment (OM Parks) Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) Steve Morris (OM Sport Leisure & Development) Ward Members: Cllr Norma Mackie Cllr Sarah Merry Other Persons: Syed Abbas Michael Ashford James Bischoff Angela Dimond Eifion Edwards Pam French (Bute Park Community Orchard) Ceri Gordon Susan Jones Cath Mortimer Panos Paris Fiona Peel Jeremy Sparkes The Application An application for the grant of a Premises Licence had been received from Cardiff Council, Culture, Tourism & Events in respect of Blackweir Fields Event Site, North Road, Cardiff. The applicant applied for the following: (1) In respect of the following licensable activities: (i) The sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises (ii) The provision of regulated entertainment in the form of live music, recorded music, performance of dance and entertainment of a similar description (all indoors and outdoors). (2) Description of Premises (as stated by applicant): “The premises is open parkland North of the Bute Park Arboretum usually used for sports pitches throughout the year. The main function will be to host music events in a short block period but could also be used to function for other events which may include the Eisteddfod, Firework Displays, Street Food events, Fanzones or visual exhibition lighting trails The inclusion of off sales in the license will be to incorporate the sales from markets where the customer can take a sealed purchase away from the site to consume at home at their own leisure”. (3) Unless otherwise indicated the premises may be open to the public during the following hours and for any hours consequential to the non-standard timings: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 to 23:30 hours (4) To provide licensable activities during the following hours: (i) The sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises: Monday to Sunday: 09:00 to 22:15 hours (ii) The provision of regulated entertainment in the form of live music, recorded music, performance of dance and entertainment of a similar description (all indoors and outdoors): Monday to Sunday: 09:00 to 22:30 hours Applicant Representations Addressing the Sub Committee on behalf of the applicant, Jeremy Phillips noted that there was a demand for green space music events, which were very popular with the ticket-buying public as they offered a different experience to stadium concerts. Approximately one third of attendees were expected to stay in Cardiff overnight. He suggested that Cardiff needed to establish a consistent live music audience to support the Arena development, and ran through a number of successes in this field including the Cardiff Music City festival, work to protect grassroots music venues, hosting major global acts at the Principality Stadium, and a programme of concerts at Cardiff Castle. He added that Blackweir Fields was capable of attracting global artists, given that, subject to the Sub Committee’s decision, a number of concerts had been arranged from 27th June to 9th July 2025, featuring Noah Kahan (27th June), Kings of Leon (29th June), Alanis Morisette (2nd July), Slayer (3rd July) and Stevie Wonder (9th July). He added that Blackweir Fields was an established event space which could successfully host events such as the Eisteddfod. The site was already covered by the current Bute Park licence, which allowed for a wide range of events with capacity for 25,000 people. However, this number was insufficient for the kind of acts the applicant was seeking to attract. He noted that the Bute Park licence had 9 conditions, whereas the proposed licence had 46, with two further conditions bringing it to 48 in total. He outlined the conditions detailed in the report, drawing attention to the number of security staff employed for fully sold-out events; searches and careful monitoring of people on site; the revised condition 45 proposed by Pollution Control and agreed by the applicant; and the additional condition 48 that any event must have approval from the Highways Authority. He referred to a plan of the site to describe how people attending events would access the venue, using temporary bridges over the Dock Feeder Canal, and the layout of the various areas and facilities. Mr Phillips then addressed a number of specific objections made in the representations prior to the meeting: · Relating to noise, the proposed condition regarding a noise management plan had been replaced by a new condition proposed by Pollution Control and accepted by the applicant. · On transport, the applicant was happy to accept the condition required by the Highway Authority. · Alcohol sales on event days would not start at 9am, but at midday. · It was proposed that there would be no more than six events per year. · On the issue of general control of access and egress, plans would be submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities in good time before each event. · Public access to the site would only be restricted during events and for a limited period before and after, and the public would retain access to the remainder of the park. · All existing cricket fixtures had been rearranged to other sites, and assurances had been given that cricket pitches would be protected. · A heritage impact assessment had been drafted. He invited Jennie Judd (OM Parks Services) to address objections made on the grounds of ecological impact. She advised the Sub Committee that an independent assessment had been undertaken into the green belt around the parkland, during which a number of trees had been identified which needed to be felled. As a result, six dead or diseased trees were felled, in addition to which a number of other trees were coppiced to stool or ground level and invasive species removed. An independent ecologist was appointed to provide technical advice to ensure minimum impact on wildlife. Questions from the Sub Committee Members of the Sub Committee queried the sale of tickets prior to the granting of the licence. Mr Phillips suggested that this had been necessitated by the lead-in time required to secure international artists and had been done at the operator’s risk, and did not imply that the granting of the licence had been taken for granted. Members sought clarification on the number of trees felled for access, and heard that five trees had been affected by ash dieback; there was one dead elm tree; ten to fifteen single ash stems also affected by ash dieback; and twelve trees coppiced. Members asked the OM Parks Services whether she was satisfied that enough work had been done to mitigate the impact on wildlife from the planned events. She confirmed that she was, based on the information from the independent ecologist. Members queried egress from the sites after events, in particular whether North Road would be closed, how ambulances would be affected, how people would get to Cardiff Central safely, and where taxi ranks would be located. Mr Phillips advised that it was estimated that visitors would evacuate the site within 15-20 minutes using the various temporary bridges. Heather Brown (Events Development Manager) added that, in line with all major events, the Head of Transport would prepare a plan including road closures, and there would be sufficient safety staff to ensure public safety. Temporary taxi ranks would be set out as part of the traffic management plan, and the ambulance station was no longer used for ambulances. Members asked how stewards would monitor the fence to ensure it remained safe and upright, and heard that hourly patrols would be conducted. The perimeter fence would incorporate a 3.4 metre steel shield and a moat. Members asked about noise management, and what plans were in place to ensure music did not overrun the allotted time. Mr Phillips advised that the operators were aware of previous issues, for instance at Hyde Park, but were well aware that this could affect their licence, and would do everything they could to ensure compliance with the time limits. Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) outlined the process for monitoring noise at events, explaining that monitors were placed at noise sensitive receptors such as residences around the site, and an independent professional acoustician would be responsible for ensuring that management of noise complied with the conditions and the current Code of Practice. There had to be a policy in place to deal with noise complaints. Events of this nature would necessarily be audible but they would be managed by best practice, as had been the case with other events. Questions from Ward Councillors Cllr Mackie queried how the applicant might seek to extend the number of events permitted under the licence. Officers advised that should a variation on the licence be sought, the applicant would have to come back to the Sub Committee. She also sought information on how long setting up and taking down the site was expected to take, and what level of noise was anticipated. Officers advised that it was likely that ten days would be required for setting up and ten days for taking it down; that only normal construction noise could be expected; and that the only other loud noise would be sound checks that would take place on the event days. She asked why alcohol sales could not be restricted to two hours before the event. Officers advised that the doors normally opened at 5pm for music events, and alcohol sales would not start before then. The hours on the licence allowed flexibility for different sorts of events such as food festivals. Questions from Other Persons One resident expressed concern at the possibility of fans sleeping overnight in the park to get into the event early, and heard that while fans did sometimes arrive early at this sort of event, they would not be allowed to camp. Residents expressed concern that the Sub Committee was being asked to look at possible future events, and asked whether it would be better to have a specific licence for music events rather than trying to use it for other types. Mr Phillips advised that the council was trying to anticipate future events and felt it would be unhelpful to restrict the licence or limit it to this year’s events. In his view, the conditions on the licence were strict enough to deal with any event. Residents sought clarification on whether the applicant would be on site at all times when alcohol was being sold. Mr Phillips confirmed that the designates premises supervisor (DPS) or personal licence holder would be present. Residents sought clarification on the inclusion within the licence area of an area south of the area where alcohol could be consumed. Officers advised that this was a queuing area, and that alcohol would only be sold within the event space. There would also be amnesty bins in the queuing area, which was normal for events like this. One resident expressed the view that the use of the name Blackweir Event Site on the application presumed a change of use. The Chair stated that this was not an issue for the Sub Committee. One resident questioned the absence of a Heritage Impact Assessment. Officers advised that an HIA had been commissioned but was still in draft. The resident stated that they had been informed by Cadw that an HIA had been produced and would be considered as part of the licensing application. The Chair clarified that this was not within the Sub Committee’s remit. Residents queried on whether the concerts counted as one event or five, and officers clarified that they were the latter. Residents asked about the number of trees felled, which officers confirmed was ten to fifteen single ash stems. Residents sought further clarification on whether a week-long event such as the Eisteddfod would constitute just one. The Legal Officer advised that only the application in its current form was under consideration. Residents asked why there had been no communication with residents about the application. Dan Cook (Licensing Team Manager) advised that there had been a 28 day consultation period, and he was satisfied that all statutory requirements had been followed correctly. Residents expressed concern about damage to the cricket pitches and asked if any load bearing comparison had been done. The Legal Officer clarified that the Sub Committee was restricted to considering matters under the Licensing Act 2003, which this was not. Residents asked whether 24 hours between events was sufficient time for modifications or rectifications, should concerns be raised about noise nuisance. Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) advised that noise would be monitored during the events and issues dealt with as they arose. He did not consider 24 hours too short a period to bring matters into line. The Licensing Team Manager added that the Licensing department would take enforcement action in the event of any breach. Residents sought clarification on the difference between the licence time of 10:15pm and the advertised end time of 11:30pm. The Licensing Team Manager advised that under the licence, alcohol sales ended at 10:15pm, music ceased at 10:30pm, and provided people left the site by 11:30pm there would be no breach of the licence. Residents queried how close local residents could be and expect not to experience hearing damage during the events. Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) advised that there were thresholds at which hearing damage could occur, but these were most relevant to noise at work regulations and did not apply to entertainment noise. In general, if noise was at a level where it could cause hearing damage, it was not a pleasant experience, and it would not be in anyone’s interest to set it at such a level. Residents asked if it would be reasonable for people working in the orchard or in nearby houses to wear protective equipment. Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) advised that the acoustician would manage noise experienced at the noise-sensitive receptors and ensure it complied with the Code of Practice. He added that the people responsible for managing the noise were independent, and if the licence holder disregarded their guidance then they ran the risk of having the licence reviewed. Residents referred to the licensing objective of protecting children from harm and asked the Sub Committee to consider whether it was appropriate for them to be exposed to explicit lyrics that could be heard outside the perimeter fence. Residents expressed concern over possible delays in dealing with noise nuisance complaints. Rhys Morgan (Pollution Control) advised that noise monitoring would be done in real time to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, and that if an issue arose it would be acted on at the time. Residents asked how children using cycle routes through the park to get to school would be affected if cycleways were closed. Officers advised that management of cycle routes would be part of the transport plan. Ward Councillor Representations Cllr Mackie welcomed the applicant’s agreement to limit events to six per year and the restrictions placed upon the alcohol licensing regime. She highlighted the concerns raised by residents, in particular the impact on the human rights of those living close to the site. Other Persons Representations Residents highlighted the location of a number of houses on the site map, which were situated very close to the ambulances and event control. They suggested that these houses would feel imprisoned by the events, which could be for weeks every year. It could make it difficult to get in and out of their houses, as well as having people queuing all around them, straying off the path, and there was every possibility of damage, yet no impact assessment had been undertaken regarding these residents specifically. They asked that acoustic monitoring devices be placed in the garden to measure the noise these residents were subjected to. The proximity of the site to the Nazareth House care home on Colum Road was also highlighted. Residents suggested that the licence, if approved, should only be permitted for one year rather than in perpetuity, noting that they had not been able to express their views at this Sub Committee about the risk of events in future years. Residents suggested that the Members of the Sub Committee had not been given sufficient time to consider an application of this significance, nor to make it its implications clear enough to the public. Residents noted that the site had been a local park since 1949, and it was a Grade 1 listed park owned by the public and managed by the council on their behalf. One resident, representing Friends of Bute Park, disputed the Cabinet Member’s suggestion in a previous forum that the council had regularly been in touch with the group. Instead, they suggested there had only been one meeting, and the council had previously only indicated that it was considering a single event in the park. Residents suggested that existing facilities like the Cardiff City Football Stadium were more suitable for events of this nature, or Pontcanna Fields if the open-air aspect was key. One resident noted that Coopers Field was 5,000 square metres larger than Blackweir Fields, and could be a more suitable location as a result. It was suggested that a terminal hour of 10pm, as was in place at Cardiff Castle and Coopers Field, would be more appropriate than 10:30pm as proposed in this application. Residents noted that while Blackweir Fields was regularly used for football, cricket and other sports, it had not been used for a major event since the last Sparks in the Park several years ago. The application suggested that it had hosted the Eisteddfod and Olympic celebrations since then, but these were in Pontcanna Fields instead. On the topic of cricket, it was noted that the wickets would be covered but not the outfield. Residents highlighted the issues of public and crowd safety, suggesting that all-day drinking could lead to disruptive behaviour, and advocated a condition prohibiting the sale of alcohol at least 30 minutes before the end of the concert. It was also noted that the closure of the Taf Trail and cycle trail could have an impact on disabled people and those with mobility issues. Residents noted that the sites of temporary refuge mentioned by Depot appeared to go beyond the tree line shown on the map at Appendix A, limiting access and making it unclear that there was sufficient space to get into the site in an emergency. Summing Up Mr Phillips summarised the arguments he had made in support of the application and responded to the proposal from residents that the licence be granted for one year only. He reiterated that the council were seeking to establish Cardiff on the global touring map, and this required a level of certainty, so only granting the licence for twelve months would lead to the same issue reoccurring next year, with tickets being sold before the licence could be granted. He acknowledged residents’ concerns and emphasised that the Licensing Act of 2003 had ample powers for licensing review in the event of any breach, with the Sub Committee then able to consider clear evidence of any issues rather than speculation. Decision The Sub Committee noted that the applicant had accepted the conditions from Environmental Health and Pollution Control, including complying with the Code of Practice of Environmental Noise Control at Concerts (known as the ‘Pop Code’) and the submission of a noise plan. The Sub Committee had carefully considered the representations, but did not feel there was sufficient evidence that the granting of this licence would undermine the licensing objectives. RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee, having considered the application on its individual merits, all the committee papers, the statutory guidance made under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, the council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy and oral representations made on behalf of the applicant, by ward members and by local residents, GRANTED the application subject to the agreed conditions with Pollution Control; and the additional conditions that any events must have the approval of the Highways Authority; and that the licence can only be used for six events per year.
An application for the grant of a Premises Licence had been received from Simone Urdis and Leticia Marfowaa in respect of DNC Bar, Units 1&2 Grand Hotel, Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DD. This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Sub Committee.
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