Licensing Policy

Wealden District Council has recently reviewed its Licensing Policy and the current policy came into effect in January 2011.

Wealden District Council is the licensing authority under the Licensing Act 2003 and is responsible for granting premises licences, club premises certificates, temporary events notices and personal licences in the District in respect of the sale and/or supply of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment and late night refreshment.

The District is predominantly rural in nature with a number of larger towns and villages.

The sale of alcohol and the provision of entertainment are largely based around the main centres of population, with some shops, pubs and clubs scattered throughout the rural areas.

The District does not have the concentration of licensed premises normally associated with larger town or city centres. In general terms, these licensed premises contribute to the local economy and assist with both tourism and cultural development.

There are relatively few premises that cause noise or other nuisance or contribute to crime and disorder. This is perhaps a reflection of the success of past control measures used by the various enforcement agencies.

The Policy

The Licensing Act 2003 requires that the Council carries out its various licensing functions so as to promote the following four licensing objectives: 

  • the prevention of crime and disorder
  • public safety
  • the prevention of public nuisance
  • the protection of children from harm

The 2003 Act further requires that the Council publishes a Statement of Licensing Policy that sets out the policies the Council will generally apply to promote the licensing objectives when making decisions on applications made under the Act.

This 'Statement of Licensing Policy' has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act.

Whilst the Council will have full regard for both the Guidance and its own Statement of Licensing Policy, in determining individual licence applications, it may depart from either if there is good reason to do so.

A full copy of Wealden District Council's Licensing Policy (pdf) is available to download or further information can be found on the following pages.