Broomhill Central and Nether Edge Area Panel Minutes 2nd September 2004

BROOMHILL, CENTRAL AND NETHER EDGE AREA PANEL

Meeting held 2^nd September, 2004, at Sheffield United Football Club

PRESENT:

Councillors Ali Qadar (Chair), Jillian Creasy, Jean Cromar and Shaffaq Mohammed.

Also in attendance:-

Dave Whitfield

-

Area Co-ordinator

Ben Benest

-

Development Services

Steve Lonnia

)

Phil Cutts

)

Licensing Section

Alan  Banford

-

Sheffield United Football Club plc

Rodney Brody

-

Las Vegas Sands

Paul Dunn

-

RTKL UK Ltd.

John Turner

-

Committee Secretariat

There were approximately 30 members of the public and representatives from local community groups in attendance.

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

            An apology for absence was received from Councillor Andrew Sangar.

2.

DEVELOPMENT AT SHEFFIELD UNITED FOOTBALL GROUND

            Representatives of Sheffield United Football Club, Las Vegas Sands and RTKL UK Ltd. gave a presentation on a proposed development at the Sheffield United Football Ground, which would comprise an entertainment complex, hotel and disabled stand and disabled parking facilities, all of which would be integrated into the existing stadium.

            Alan Banford reported that a planning application, which was presently at the pre-consultation stage, would be submitted shortly in respect of the proposed development.  The development would create 1,800 new jobs, assist with the regeneration of the area, provide a major boost for local businesses and provide enhanced leisure opportunities for consumers in the local and regional proximity.  Part of the entertainment complex would include a casino, which was to be constructed and operated by Las Vegas Sands, the profits from which would be used to fund the future development of the football club.  Mr. Banford concluded by stating that as part of the construction works and the continuing operation of the casino and hotel, there would be on-site construction training programmes and tailored training schemes on new skills for casino and hotel jobs. There would also be business opportunities for local firms as building contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers, both during construction and afterwards.

            Rodney Brody reported on the operation of the casino, referring specifically to the imminent deregulation of the gaming laws.  He stated that the entertainment complex as a whole would comprise 190,000 square feet, with approximately one third of this area being devoted to the casino and the other two thirds comprising other leisure activities, such as bars, restaurants, a family entertainment area and a club museum.

            Paul Dunn referred to the plans in respect of the development, referring specifically to the fact that the car parking would be underground and the service areas were contained within the development, with no inconvenience or disruption with regard to noise or smell to those residents living near the site.

            The following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.        How did the football club expect there to be demand for the hotel on the site when other hotels in the surrounding area were closing down?

R.        Whilst it was the aim to attract customers visiting the City for leisure purposes, which would include people going to the matches and who had travelled long distances, research undertaken by the club had indicated that the majority of the demand would be from business customers.

Q.        Had consideration been given to the potential problems of car parking on the already overcrowded streets in the area?

R.        It was considered that there was adequate car parking within the development and that the demand for on-street car parking would be kept to a minimum.

Q.        Had any research been undertaken or consideration been given to the potential problems of debt or poverty caused as a result of gambling?

R.        The gaming area would only comprise approximately one third of the total square footage of the entertainment complex and the club had envisaged that there would be no major problems, particularly on the basis that there were already a number of casinos in the City.

Q.        At previous consultation meetings with the Sharrow Community Forum, there had been reference to plans to construct community leisure facilities, including tennis courts, on Shoreham Street.  Why had there been no mention of this tonight?

R.        The initial application for planning permission related to the casino and hotel.  As the development was taking place on the existing car park, during the construction works, car parking would be provided on the land earmarked for the community sporting facilities on Shoreham Street.   Once construction was complete, an application for planning permission was to be submitted for the erection of 140 low cost housing units and associated sports facilities, including tennis courts, on this land.

Q.        What were the opening and closing hours of the casino?

R.        Depending on the licensing laws, it was proposed that the casino would be open 24 hours a day.

Q.        On the grounds that there were already two casinos in the City, and planning applications had been submitted for three more, did the club feel that the City was capable of sustaining five casinos?

R.        It was not possible to provide a response to this question at this time.  However, research undertaken had indicated that there would be a demand for the maximum number of gaming slot machines allowed, which, under present gaming law, stood at 1,250.

Q.        How many gaming slot machines would be included in the casino and did Las Vegas Sands intend to monitor and regulate potential problems of debt or poverty as a result of gambling?

R.        There will be 1,250 slot machines in the casino, which was the maximum number allowed.  There will be trained staff to monitor and regulate any potential problems of gambling.

Q.        Was the club’s and Las Vegas Sand’s business plan based on the casino being open 24 hours a day?

R.        Yes.

Q.        With regard to the various categories of jobs to be created as part of the development, there was no reference to any health care workers or counsellors - was this the case?

R.        There will be posts of health care workers and counsellors included in the posts to be created.

Q.        Had the club given any consideration to any other means of raising funds other than through the profits from the casino?

R.        Although the casino element of the overall entertainment complex was likely to be the most profitable in terms of fund-raising, the other leisure facilities would also be used as a means of fund-raising for the club.  The fund-raising was seen as an important factor in improving the football team and assisting the regeneration of the area.  There had been no major problems with regard to gambling at the other casinos in Las Vegas and Macou.

Q.        Had consideration been given to the potential problems of noise and general nuisance on residents living within the vicinity of the ground?

R.        Most of the bars and restaurants, as part of the entertainment complex, were situated on the Bramall Lane corner, where there were no houses.

Q.        Had the club considered the possibility that the development and the leisure facilities contained therein could actually have an adverse effect on local businesses of a similar nature in the vicinity of the ground?

R.        It was considered that the new job creation would far outweigh any potential job losses within the area and that all local suppliers and businesses should actually benefit, either through the construction or the leisure services contained in the development.

Q.        What consideration had the club given to the views of local residents?

R.        The club had been in close contact with the Sharrow Community Forum, which had included several meetings throughout the various stages of the proposed development.  The leisure facilities will be managed in a way which causes a minimum of disruption to local residents.

Q.        How can local residents put forward their views as part of the planning process?

R.        The planning process was at the pre-application consultation stage and when the full planning application was submitted, residents would have the opportunity of making their comments.  Residents would be able to forward their comments to the City Council, and such comments would be taken into consideration when a recommendation was to be made on the application.  Members of the public would also have the opportunity to speak at the Planning and Highways Area Board at which the application was to be determined.  As part of the developer’s responsibilities, they would have to submit a large amount of supporting information, including the likely impact of the development on the local traffic network and potential effects with regard to noise.  They would also have to submit a design statement showing that the overall design of the development fitted in with the nature of the area.  Planning officers would consider all the information, taking into consideration the impact of the development on the area.

Q.        There were a large number of Muslim residents in the area, who were concerned at potential security issues and problems caused by gambling.  The club had worked hard to develop links with the ethnic minority communities in the area in recent years and it was considered by some, that the development would have an adverse effect on such links.  Had the club given consideration to this?

R.        The club had given consideration to the moral issues in connection with gambling, and had undertaken research into this field in America and China.  It was considered that the gambling element was only a small part of the overall scheme and would not necessarily impinge on the daily live of local residents.

Q.        Did the jobs which would be created relate to full-time equivalents?

R.        Yes.

Q.        What did the club consider as the catchment area of clientele for the facilities?

R.        The club was looking to attract people from a radius of approximately 60 miles.

Q.        Will the local transport system be able to cope if there is a large demand on the facilities?

R.        It was hoped that as the car parking was contained as part of the development, this would reduce the amount of traffic on local streets.

Q.        When did the club envisage the peaks and troughs with regard to times of use and what age groups would be targeted as using the facilities?

R.        The club did not have any clear idea at this stage as to when the peaks and troughs in terms of usage would be, and would only find out once the facilities were in operation.  It was hoped that the various facilities would attract people of all ages, including families, but the main age range in respect of use of the casino would be between 35 and 45.

Q.        Would the jobs to be created be permanent?

R.        Yes.  Following work undertaken by consultants, it was envisaged that for every job created as part of the proposed development, an extra six jobs would be created in the area.

Q.        How many of the 1,800 jobs to be created will be aimed at local people?

R.        It was the aim to appoint as many local people to the posts as possible.

Q.        How were the profits from the casino to be split between the club and Venetia?

R.        The profits will be split on a 50/50 basis.

            The following comments were also made:-

·                    It was the aim of the Sharrow Community Forum to establish a Focus Group which would be responsible for considering each stage of the planning and construction process, and would shortly be asking for volunteers to sit on the Group.

·                    It was important that there is proper consultation with local residents on all aspects of the scheme, particularly on the basis that there appeared to be a lot of concern and scepticism from local residents.

·                ,     All residents and local shops/businesses should have received leaflets on the proposals, together with details on how they could put forward their views on the proposed development.  These had been delivered by the Sharrow Community Forum.

RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the questions and responses and the comments now made, be noted; and

            (b) the thanks of the Panel be conveyed to Alan Banford, Rodney Brody and Paul Dunn for the presentation now made.

3.

AREA CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

            The Panel received a report of the Area Co-ordinator containing (a) responses to questions which had not been answered at previous meetings of the Panel, (b) details of developments in the area, which included (i) the Area Panel Forward Plan, (ii) the Sharrow Partnership Priority Area and (iii) the Abbeydale Corridor Clearway and (c) an update on allocation under the Area Panel’s Local Action Plan theme of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

            The Area Co-ordinator reported that the Forward Plan would continue to be a working draft document and that efforts had been made to hold future meetings at more varied locations within the Panel’s area in order to give more residents the opportunity of attending meetings.

            Arising from questions from members of the public, the Area Co-ordinator stated that (A) whilst the funding for the lengthsman under the Local Action Plan theme of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund would allow for the streets within the areas shown on the maps now exhibited to be cleaned every three weeks, the role of the lengthsman would not include clearing out gullies and (B) the enforcement of parking offences was still a matter for the Police, although decriminalisation of parking offences was to be introduced in the New Year, and this should ensure that more fines would be imposed in respect of drivers parking in bus lanes during restricted hours.

            A representative of the Sharrow Community Forum stated that the Forum had forwarded their comments on these proposals to the Council and indicated that in their view, due to the problems of congestion, there should be no parking on that stretch of London Road, running from St. Mary’s Gate to Woodhead Road.

            The Panel noted the information contained in the report, together with the comments now made.

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

            Members of the public asked questions and responses were provided as follows:-

Q.        Could the Council influence the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) in connection with the deterioration of bus services to and from Nether Edge?  The No.3/4 service had been reduced and the low floor access buses had been withdrawn on the No.22 route.

R.        This issue would be referred to the SYPTE.

Q.        How often would the lengthsman be cleaning streets in the different neighbourhoods within the Panel’s area?

R.        The Council categorised the various different areas throughout the City, whereby the City Centre was cleaned every day, local shopping areas were cleaned once a week and residential streets cleaned only once every few months.  The funding provided under the Local Action Plan theme of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund would allow the lengthsmen to clean the designated areas, as shown on the plans now submitted, once every three weeks, which was seen as a major improvement.  Feedback from residents as to the effectiveness of the arrangements were welcomed.

Q.        Whilst cricket nets had been installed in Mount Pleasant Park, they had not yet been used.  What plans were there for the nets to be used and were any coaching schemes planned as this had been mentioned in the past?

R.        The Area Co-ordinator had recently met with representatives of the Yorkshire County Cricket Board, who had expressed a wish to implement a cricket development plan for the Park, but proposals in respect of this had not been forthcoming.  He had also met with Richard Fowler, Activity Sheffield, who had stated that he intended to arrange for the use of the cricket nets.

Q.        What was the Council’s position with regard to the increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour in Mount Pleasant Park?

R.        The Council was aware of the problems being caused by a number of local youths in Mount Pleasant Park and was of the view that up to now, such incidents had not been handled very effectively.  The Council would continue to monitor the problems.  It was the intention that under the Sharrow Partnership Priority Area initiative, the Police will monitor the problems in the Park.  It was also accepted that there was a need for the various agencies in the area to meet and discuss the problems.

Q.        Was the Council aware of which drains were unable to cope with exceptionally heavy rainfall and if so, what action was planned to clear such drains?

R.        The Council would be aware of such drains and this matter would be referred to Street Force for a response.

Q.        There was evidence to show that illegal flyposting was increasing in the Panel’s area despite recent attempts to curb the problem.  The Council needed to use its resources to stop flyposting, rather than spend money on keeping the levels of flyposting down.  What action did the Council aim to take with regard to this?

R.        This matter would be referred to Street Force for a response.

5.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

            The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 3^rd June, 2004, were approved as a correct record.

6.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW LICENSING LEGISLATION

            Steve Lonnia and Phil Cutts reported on the introduction and effects of the Licensing Act 2003, which would regulate the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of entertainment, cinemas, late night refreshment and private places of entertainment, by replacing the existing legislation and bringing it under the Act as one single piece of legislation.

            Mr. Lonnia reported that the new Act would replace six Acts which had been used in the past to control the provision of entertainment, sale of alcohol and late night food and refreshment, and would hopefully result in less duplication of work and associated costs required to ensure that premises were properly licensed.  The Government had recently announced that the first appointed day will be 7^th February, 2005, with the second appointed day expected to be sometime in November, 2005.  The period between these two dates will be known as the transitional period.  Mr. Lonnia reported that the key aims of the new Act would be to reduce crime and disorder, encourage tourism, reduce misuse, encourage self sufficient rural communities and reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation on businesses.

            The City Council, acting as Licensing Authority, was charged with drafting a statement of licensing policy, and as part of the Authority’s duties, it was required to consult with various groups and organisations, including all the Council’s Area Panels.

            Mr. Lonnia made reference to the four core licensing objectives, which were the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm, and these objectives were taken into consideration when each applicant prepared their operating schedule and any conditions imposed on licences must be relevant to these objectives.

            With regard to the process, Mr. Lonnia reported that from the first appointed day, licensees would be able to apply for conversion of their existing licence to a new licence under the new legislation and if they chose not to apply for a variation, then only the police could make comment on that application in relation to the crime prevention objective.  If no objection was made, then the licence must be granted on the same terms as the existing licence.  Where a variation was applied for during the transitional period, then the relevant bodies could make comment, as could interested parties.  If a relevant representation was made, then a hearing of the City Council’s Licensing Board would be held to determine the application.  The Board would consider the variation, taking into consideration the four core licensing objectives, and only refuse a variation on those grounds.  At any stage following the granting of a licence, a responsible authority or interested party, such as a resident living within the vicinity of the premises, may apply for a review of the licence due to an issue connected to the four core licensing objections.

            Mr. Lonnia concluded by reassuring local residents that not all pubs and clubs would apply for variations to their licences in order to allow for 24 hour opening on the basis that such a variation would not be financially viable, although it was expected that a number of pubs and clubs would apply for variations to allow for additional hours of opening.

            The following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.        What powers will the Council and local residents have if it was found that a pub or club licensee who had applied for a variation to open the premises 24 hours a day was causing particular problems in the neighbourhood?

R.        Initially, licensees will apply for the conversion of existing licences to a new licence under the legislation.  The terms of the new licence at this stage would be exactly the same as the existing one.  However, during the transitional period, and after this period, licensees could apply to vary the licence, which could result in an extension of the opening hours.  If concerns or objections were received from local residents, the Licensing Authority would arrange meetings with licensees and local residents to discuss the issues. If such issues were not resolved at this stage, the matter would be referred to the Licensing Board, who had the power to amend or revoke the licence.  One problem with this process was that it had to be completed within a period of two months.  The Council would aim to work with residents as much as possible to resolve any problems caused by variations to the licences.

Q.        Under the new legislation, could conditions be imposed when decisions are taken to grant variations, such as making any variations such to a review for a given period?

R.        In the light of potential difficulties in pre-empting problems caused as a result of the variation in the licences, the Government have allowed for a review within the legislation.  If any objections were received, they would be investigated and the licence could be reviewed immediately.  An example of this would be if there were problems of noise nuisance in a particular area, the licensee could be requested to install double glazing or other sound-proofing in their premises.

Q.        Would it be possible for the Licensing Authority to issue a list of applications for variations to licences on a regular basis, and make this list public?

R.        Yes, officers would look at doing this.  As part of the new legislation, licensees would be required to publicly advertise their applications to vary their licences.

Q.        Will licensees have to pay fees for applications to vary their licences?

R.        There will be no legal obligation on licensees to pay for applications to vary their licences.  They will however be required to continue paying the annual licence fee, which was based on the size of their premises.

RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the comments now made and responses provided to the questions, be noted; and

            (b) the thanks of the Panel be conveyed to Steve Lonnia and Phil Cutts for the presentation now made.

7.

OUTSTANDING REPORTS

            The Panel noted that there were no outstanding reports required for submission to future meetings.

8.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            The Panel noted that its next meeting would be held on Thursday, 7^th October, 2004, from 7.00 p.m. at Broomhill Methodist Church, Fulwood Road.