South Norfolk Council accused of wasting thousands of pounds

Gill Sherratt, director of consultancy firm Licensing Matters, launched the attack on South Norfolk Council over an application to open an off licence in New Costessey. 

The case was brought to the council's licensing committee following complaints from people living in Kabin Road, where the new shop will be based, who said it would attract too many customers and cause a public nuisance. 

However, Ms Sherratt, who was representing the applicant, argued that the issues raised were not relevant to the pursuit of a premises licence and must be directly related to the sale of alcohol. 

In a letter to council officers, she said: "I am extremely concerned that you intend to waste thousands of pounds of public money by referring this to the committee.

"To say that all our councils are struggling financially is an obvious point, to send this to a hearing for no reason and waste everyone’s time and the hard-earned money of local people is unacceptable.

"I have never experienced representations being so obviously irrelevant and yet being referred to a committee."

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The application was lodged by Sunil Kumar, who runs Stafford Stores in New Costessey, to permit the sale of alcohol at a vacant shop in Kabin Road.

The store at 2 Kabin Road was previously a charity shop (Image: Google Maps)

Local people expressed concerns that the store would attract a high volume of customers into a residential area - an issue that would be exacerbated by insufficient parking. 

Ms Sherratt said these issues were "irrelevant" and blasted the decision of councillors to hold the meeting as "outrageous".

"This should never have happened," she added.

The meeting was held on Wednesday and councillors voted in favour of allowing a premises licence at the store. 

South Norfolk Council said: "Although we acknowledge that some elements of the objections submitted fell outside the licensing objectives, the law recommends that, in borderline cases, the benefit of the doubt about any aspect of an objection should be given to the person making that representation.

"The subsequent committee allows all parties a fair hearing."