|
|
 |
| |
Diplomats in protest at church drinks bid
Objectors fear licence will bring rise in crime and noise
ONE of Hampstead’s best-known churches has fallen foul of its neighbours, including Indian diplomats, after applying for an alcohol and live music licence.
Hampstead Parish Church needs the licence to continue to serve alcohol at plays and concerts staged at the Grade II-listed building in Church Row.
But neighbours, including the High Commission of India, which owns architect Maxwell Fry’s famous Sun House in Frognal Way, have urged licensing chiefs to reject the bid.
Indian High Commission first secretary RG Nair said that staff had “serious objections” to the application, including fears of increased crime and disorder, and noise pollution.
He added: “We are a diplomatic establishment and are covered by the relevant UK laws for provision of safety. We have serious apprehensions about the maintenance of public safety of Sun House if the sale of alcohol is granted.”
Topsy Arlidge, of Church Row Residents’ Association, called for alcohol to be served until 10pm only, Monday to Saturday, and not 11pm, as requested.
Resident James Daley, of Frognal Way, said neighbours considered the application “completely inappropriate”. He added: “There is enough noise and disruption in the area without the church adding to it.”
But church warden Andrew Penny, who submitted the application, has told objectors in a letter: “The church is already putting on concerts and plays and supplying alcohol in the intervals and has been doing so for at least 12 and I believe many more years.
“The church has no intention of changing the pattern of what it has done. This application only comes about because, under the new licensing legislation, the church itself requires a premises licence.
“The concerts in question will be un-amplified music, recitals, chamber concerts and occasional choral and orchestral concerts. The music is hardly audible outside the church itself and certainly cannot be heard beyond the perimeter of the churchyard.”
Among those buried at the churchyard in the centre of Hampstead are Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell, painter John Constable and actress Kay Kendall.
Licensing chiefs were due to make a decision on the application yesterday evening (Wednesday). |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
