Functioning as a community

The apprehension of three burglars here at South Terrace reminds us of the benefits of working together as a community.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, our 'early-warning-system' alerted police to the fact that a home had been entered, and as a result, those involved were apprehended red-handed either inside the premises or just outside with stolen property. The criminals were detained and have been remanded in custody by the magistrates, as they make their way to Crown Court.

Leaving aside the superb support that we got from the rapid response of uniformed officers from Darlington Police, the episode shows how - when organised effectively - a community can bring a dynamic layer of protection to its residents. In a text book operation, a serious crime was intersected, perpetrators caught, premises protected and stolen items recovered.

This is a huge benefit of living here in South Terrace. We are one of very few local communities that can consistently be described as functional. That is not to say that neighbours will not have the usual problems or issues from time to time; but it speaks volumes about the way in which we organise ourselves, communicate, and keep an eye out for other residents and their interests.

It is right to say that community does not simply happen. It requires work, and a degree of commitment.

So, what better reason for speaking to our neighbours, baking a cake, moving a bin, picking up litter, keeping an eye on more vulnerable residents, or simply giving a wave?

Our community is precisely that - our's. Those outside will neither fight our corner nor deliver compassion. Thinking 'community' and valuing the benefits is the very best way to maintain the joy of living here and cherishing the most prominent community here in Darlington.


South Terrace Residents' Group Chair - in charge!

 A very rare photograph showing Karl, South Terrace Residents' Group's treasurer....working!

Is it too late to gate? Or is the time ripe to swipe?

Our studious followers and readers will recall last year's debate on South Terrace Facebook group page concerning 'gating the lanes'.

Gating back lanes is not as revolutionary or draconian as it first appears. It seems that in Middlesbrough, the council has sponsored a number of gated lanes (click the link and watch the video), adding massively to the amenity for residents.

The statutory criteria for gating are fairly strict and Darlington has made only one such order, but that is not to say that we could not make a case for gating here at South Terrace, especially considering that the lanes do not comprise 'through routes', affording access only to South Terrace residents.

The back lanes (east and west) to South Terrace present our Achilles Heel. It is along here that flat-back trucks have been driven and our homes are observed; it is from here that over the years the reported break-ins have occurred; it is here that strangers have been found lurking to observe rear bedroom windows; it is here that fly tipping has occurred and drug paraphernalia has been located and removed by Street Scene.

Before making an order, the council must also be convinced that it is expedient for the purposes of reducing crime or anti-social behaviour. To determine this, the Council will take into consideration: the likely effect of making the Order on the occupiers of premises adjoining or adjacent to the highway; the likely effect of making the Order on other people in the locality; and in cases where the highway constitutes a through route, the availability of a reasonably convenient alternative route.

Residents of gated lanes will be given access to come and go with vehicles or on foot. Likewise, the emergency services and utilities are given access for their purposes.

Whilst South Terrace could not possibly re-create Mavis Arnold's bower, the long-term advantages for residents could be immense. Leaving aside the impact on property prices (which may be an attraction for many), residents would reduce the incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour, regain control over an important part of their environment, gain a private amenity walkway, provide a safe play area for their children, and improve their sense of neighbourhood.

Why should South Terrace not lead again on this vision?

With thanks to North News and Pictures Ltd for the use of their photos and video.

24 hour films at Vue

Its Monday 27 July 2015, and Darlington Council has granted the entertainment/licensing application for Vue Entertainment Ltd, facilitating a 24 hour showing of films, and alcohol sales through to 0230 hours each morning, with a 0500 hrs late night refreshment licence for non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

What does this mean for the terrace?

Sarah, Stephanie and I (who attended the hearing and made representations on your behalf) both conclude that the decision will inevitably affect the terrace in a number of ways. First, the issue of parking.

Whilst the new multi-storey car park in Beaumont Street will offer one parking option, it is clear that on-street parking in South Terrace (after the 6.00 pm residents' restriction) will offer major advantages to cinema-goers. By parking across the road here, they can avoid parking charges or restrictions - and can miss the exit crush as people dash to their cars at the end of a film.

With some screenings finishing in the early hours of the morning, this may result in disturbance in the street as Vue customers come to collect their cars, slam car doors and drive off.

A further issue relates to those who leave the cinema complex on foot. South Terrace back lane (both east and west) provides the first urinal, and Victoria Road a very likely exit point for pedestrians returning to the west end of town. We anticipate that night time screenings may result in a few sleepless nights for those with bedrooms at the back of their homes.

Clearly, the licensing committee was unimpressed by our representations, and on the balance of probabilities concluded that our concerns were disproportionate to the need for Vue Entertainment Ltd to trade throughout the night. Reminding ourselves that the licensing committee, Chaired by Councillor Cyndi Hughes with Councillors Sonia Kane and Brian Jones as wing members, are our elected members, it will now be important that we keep them in the loop of information should issues arise.

The key to dealing with any issue is to ensure that a proper record is made at, or about the time it arises. As evident at today's hearing, it is not enough simply to assert that there is or may be a problem. What is needed is evidence.

I suggest that where issues arise - whether in relation to the parking of cars or public order on the terrace - that residents make a prompt note of the issue and post details to our closed Facebook page or hand the note to one of the Resident Group's officers at no 23, 22 or 8. I am happy to collate the information if you wish me to do so.

In cases where the assistance of police is considered appropriate, residents should again record the incident and the police reference number, and pass the information on to us.

Returning then to parking - I propose that we make further representations to the council to extend the residents parking restriction to 24 hours. This would mean that, save for the limited number of non-resident spaces, on-street parking here on the terrace would become less attractive.

Dealing with the non-resident spaces, some of you will recall the 'Yellow Card' scheme proposed a few years ago. With the reduction of 'free spaces', a scheme like this has enhanced attraction.

Under the scheme, residents with permits to park are invited to take a 'free space' should one be available. The resident then has the option of placing their numbered card on the dashboard, indicating that, if asked, they will make their space available to another resident or their visitors. Simple as that! This way, we take control over parking on the terrace, rather than surrendering the terrace as an overflow car park for the town.

So, what else came out of the hearing? First, an agreed concession that alcohol sales will cease 30 minutes after the start of the last screening, or 2.30am, whichever is the earlier. Second, that alcohol sales are to be restricted to those who have purchased a cinema ticket. Third, that Vue Entertainment will post signs reminding customers of their proximity to a residential area and the need for consideration.

Some might say that we have wasted our time with our objection. Would they be right? Only time will tell, and much depends on the measures of control exercised by Vue Entertainment Ltd. If they get it right, we may be less affected than we thought; if not, your collective action in collecting evidence and re-organising our parking arrangements could become critically important.

Vue Entertainment's licence - the latest

The notice is attached below.

FOR CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE 28 JULY 2015

APPENDIX 1
APPLICATION FOR PREMISES LICENCE

Applicant VUE ENTERTAINMENT LTD Ref No: DL15/00879/PREMIS
Premises: VUE CINEMA, FEETHAMS LEISURE, FEETHAMS LANE DARLINGTON, DL1 4QT

Requested Licensable Activities Requested Hours
Sale of alcohol (Indoors & Outdoors)
(for consumption ON the premises)
08:00 hrs to 02:30 hrs Every day

Plays, Live Music, Recorded Music,
08:00 hrs to 03:00 hours Every Day
24 hrs Every Day

Late Night Refreshment: 23:00 hrs to 05:00 hrs Every Day
Premises Opening Hours 24 hrs Every Day
Non-standard/seasonal timings:

Sale of Alcohol, Plays, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance and Late Night
An additional hour on the day that British Summertime commences.
From the end of permitted hours in New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day

Notification to Responsible Authorities/Interested Parties:

The Applicant Company has served notice of this application to the following:

Chief Constable: Director of Public Health
Chief Fire Officer Trading Standards
Planning Manager Local Safeguarding Children Board
Environmental Health (Public Safety and Public Nuisance)
Advertisement in The Advertiser: 12 June 2015
Information on Council’s web site: 3 June 2015
The Licensing Act 2003 requires the Licensing Authority to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four Licensing Objectives:

The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
The Prevention of Public Nuisance
The Protection of Children from Harm

The Licensing Authority must also have regard to its Licensing Policy and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The Licensing Authority may depart from its own Policy or the Secretary of State’s Guidance if it has good cause but must be able to give full reasons for such a departure.

DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES
The Applicant has described the premises as a nine screen multiplex cinema within a mixed-use development. The Applicant operates in excess of 70 cinemas throughout England, Wales and Scotland all of which are licensed for the sale of alcohol as well as the primary activity of showing films.

The sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment other than the showing of films will be ancillary to the use of the premises as a cinema.
The premises are currently in the process of being constructed as part of a state-of-the-art leisure complex on the former bus depot site and will comprise of a nine screen multiplex cinema, and an 80 bedroom hotel, there will also be a number of restaurants and bars with 80 car parking spaces. Members will be aware that opposite the proposed development, a 650 car parking space multi-story car park is currently under construction.

On 3 June 2015, an application was properly made for a premises licence in respect of Vue Cinema in accordance with Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. As a result, representations have been received from 3 Other Persons in respect of the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder. The representations have been summarised below and are reproduced in full at Appendix 1A to this report.

WHERE REPRESENTATIONS ARE MADE

Where a representation concerning the licensing objectives is made by a Responsible Authority or an Other Person and it is relevant the licensing authority’s discretion will be engaged provided the representation is not frivolous or vexatious.

A representation is “relevant” if it relates to the likely effect of the grant of the licence on the promotion of at least one of the licensing objectives.

Licensing Act Sub Committee 28 July 2015
Application for Grant of Premises Licence

The Secretary of State’s revised guidance under Section 182 (March 2015) states “It is recommended that, in borderline cases, the benefit of the doubt about any aspect of a representation should be given to the person making that representation. The subsequent hearing would then provide an opportunity for the person or body making the representation to amplify and clarify it.”

On 30 June 2015, a representation was received from Mr Stephen Twist, President of the South Terrace Residents Group, based on the prevention of public nuisance and prevention of crime and disorder. In summary, Mr Twist is concerned about the duration of the premise opening hours, which, he feels, will result in localised disturbance and noise disturbance to local residents. (Appendix 1A (i))

On 1 July 2015, a representation was received from Dr L R King based on the prevention of public nuisance. In summary, he is concerned that the duration of the premises opening hours and the possible impact on local residents particularly in relation to visitors to the site using Victoria Embankment for parking (Appendix 1A (ii))

On 1 July 2015, a representation was received from Ms Sarah Hutchinson based on the prevention of public nuisance. In summary, she is concerned that the limited number of on-site car parking spaces will lead to visitors to the premises using local roads to park their cars, which may lead to noise nuisance from customers leaving the cinema in the early hours of the morning. (Appendix 1A (iii))

THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSE

The representations have been sent to the Applicant Company’s legal representative to provide them with an opportunity to respond to the concerns expressed.

THE OPERATING SCHEDULE

In the section of the application dealing with the operating schedule, i.e. the additional steps that will be taken to promote the four licensing objectives if this application is granted, the Applicant Company has stated the following:

1. A tamper proof CCTV system shall be installed, maintained and operated in the premises in liaison with and to the satisfaction of the police and shall be used to record during all hours the premises are open to the public.

2. Notices stating that CCTV is in operation will be displayed throughout the venue.

3. Sale of alcohol will cease at 02:30 or 30 minutes before the end of the last film showing at the premises whichever is the earlier.

4. Each auditoria is visited by a member of staff during film showings to monitor screens and the behaviour of customers. These staff are issued with night vision goggles or equivalent.

5. The occupancy capacity of the premises shall be identified by way of a Risk

6. All staff shall receive training in emergency evacuation procedures

7. The premises shall operate a proof of age scheme and Challenge 25 policy.

Notices setting out this policy shall be displayed within the premises.

8. All staff involved in the sale of alcohol shall be properly trained (as per the premises licence holders own training programme) and retrained every 6 months.

Members are aware that the operating schedule can be turned into conditions to be placed on any grant of licence. Members are also aware that all conditions should be clear, unambiguous and enforceable.

THE AGREED CONDITIONS

Following discussions with the Applicant Company, the conditions below have been agreed and now form part of the Operating Schedule. The revised Operating Schedule is shown below and the amendments are highlighted in bold.

1. A tamper proof CCTV system shall be installed, maintained and operated in the premises in liaison with and to the satisfaction of the police and shall be used to record during all hours the premises are open to the public.

2. Notices stating that CCTV is in operation will be displayed throughout the venue.

3. Sale of alcohol will cease at 02:30 or 30 minutes before the end of the last film showing at the premises whichever is the earlier.

4. Each auditoria is visited by a member of staff during film showings to monitor screens and the behaviour of customers. These staff are issued with night vision goggles or equivalent.

5. The occupancy capacity of the premises shall be identified by way of a Risk

6. All staff shall receive training in emergency evacuation procedures

7. The premises shall operate a proof of age scheme and Challenge 25 policy.

Notices setting out this policy shall be displayed within the premises.

8. All staff involved in the sale of alcohol shall be properly trained (as per the premises licence holders own training programme) and retrained every 6 months. Training records to be available to the police or local authority on request.

9. An alcohol refusal register will be maintained and available for inspection at the request of the police or local authority.

10. Alcohol shall only be sold to persons who have been granted admittance to the premises by way of a purchase ticket, who admittance has been paid for, or to employees or bona fide guests of Vue Entertainment Limited.

Members are referred to the following relevant sections of the Council’s Licensing Policy which are reproduced at Appendix 1B

Section 6.1 – 6.3 Public Nuisance Impact of Licensable Activities
Section 8.3 – 8.6.1 Public Nuisance Location and Impact of Activity
Section 11.5.1 Film Exhibitions

Members are referred to the Secretary of State’s Guidance in relation to the prevention of public nuisance. This is reproduced at Appendix 1C.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Copies of the plans will be made available at the hearing for Members’ consideration.

POINTS FOR CLARIFICATION

Members are referred to the notice of hearing points for clarification (See Appendix 2).

The Other Persons have been asked to provide the following:

Details of past problems experienced in the vicinity

The Applicant Company has been asked to provide the following:

Details of the steps to be taken to ensure patrons do not cause problems to nearby local residents due to the lack of significant provision for on-site parking.

Members may consider the following options:

1. Grant the application subject to the mandatory licence conditions and those converted from the applicants Operating Schedule.

2. Grant the application as above and place additional conditions on the licence that Members consider are necessary to address any concerns relating to crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety and protection of children from harm.

3. Grant the application as above and exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates;
Members are reminded that any aggrieved party (ie Applicant Company, Responsible Authority or Other Person) may appeal any decision of the Licensing Sub Committee to the Magistrates’ Courts.

Contact Officer: Julie Richings
Ian Williams
Director of Economic Growth

APPENDIX 1A
REPRESENTATIONS IN RESPECT OF APPLICATION
Appendix 1A (i)

Representor: Stephen Twist

Comments: Based on the Prevention of Public Nuisance

The South Terrace Residents' Group is aware of this application, and as president of the group, I have been asked to respond on their behalf.
Darlington Council website is unhelpful as to how our objections can be recorded. We anticipate that this is not a Planning matter, but hope that you can forward our comments to the relevant department at the Town Hall. The 'no later than' date for receipt of objections is 1 July 2015.

The residents of South Terrace have the following concerns in relation to the applications by Vue Entertainments Limited, for Vue Cinema Feethams:

1. The duration of the performance licence: we feel that 0300 hrs is too late and will result in localised disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are

2. The duration of the alcohol sale licence: we feel that 0230 hrs is too late, and will result in a late night influx of customers, with attendant issues relating to alcohol and public order. It is of note that the council do not permit sales as late as this at other venues for good reason.

3. The late night refreshment licence: we cannot see justification for 0500 hrs, and consider that this will result in localised noise disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are sleeping.

• existing residents' right to undisturbed environment and a night's sleep has priority over late night operations;
• performances should terminate no later than 0100 hrs - which will give sufficient opportunity for Vue Entertainment Ltd to screen late night films;
• the sale of alcohol should not extend beyond 1200 hrs midnight, save within the cinema bar and auditorium during late night screening, where sales could continue until 0100 hrs;
• late night refreshment licence should be limited to 0200 hrs for venues within the semi-enclosed concourse only.

Some residents have expressed concerns in relation to the times suggested above, and would prefer earlier cessation. That which appears above not local consensus, but is proposed by the group as a reasonable compromise.

For the benefit of the licencing committee, it should be recorded that the South Terrace Residents' Group, is a long standing group comprising 43 households - 100% of currently occupied homes in South Terrace and Pease Cottages, DL1 5JA.

Please confirm receipt of this objection by email.

Appendix 1A (ii)
Representor: Dr. Leslie King

Comments: Based on the Prevention of Public Nuisance.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed 24 hour showing of films, and late night licensing of performances, sale of alcohol, and sale of refreshments at the Vue, Feethams, development, described as follows on a notice posted at the site:

"The proposed licensable activities and their hours are :to permit the performance of plays, live music, recorded music and performance of dance from 0800 until 0300 each day; to permit the sale of alcohol from 0800 to 0230 each day; the showing of films and opening hours 24 hours each day and late night refreshment from 2300 to

I cannot understand how the Council can be giving serious consideration to an application that would, if approved, result in serious and potentially continuous disruption to residents living in a large section of this part of the town. For Sunday to Friday a reasonable time for the sale of alcohol to stop each day would be 11.30pm, with all commercial activity on the
site ending no later than 12 midnight. On Saturdays a one hour extension of these times, to 1.00am and 12.30am respectively, would be acceptable.

The extent of disruption to local residents will be increased if customers of the 'Vue' development are allowed to park their cars in residents streets in the neighbourhood. To minimise this impact, no on-street parking by non-residents (other than residents' visitors) should be allowed. Before the 'Vue' development begins commercial activity, the residents
parking scheme for the area between, and including, Victoria Embankment and Clifton Road should be amended to be residents-only for both side of all roads 24 hours per day. I facility should be introduced whereby each household is provided with an agreed number of visitors' tickets per year free of charge, with the option to purchase additional tickets. These should also be valid and required 24 hours per day, each and every day of the year. While this scheme needs to be activated and managed by Darlington Council, it should be a condition of the licensing approval that commercial activity on the 'Vue' site shall not begin until such a scheme is in place.

Would you please confirm that you have received this email prior to the closing time for objections to be submitted, and that its contents will be fully considered prior to a decision being made with regard to the 'Vue' development application.

Appendix 1A (iii)
Representor: Sarah Hutchinson
Comments: Based on the Prevention of Public Nuisance

While the letter has the support of 43 households through the residents group, as a resident of 4 South Terrace I would like to add my express support to the letter of objection below from Mr Stephen Twist on behalf of the residents group.

It is to be noted that nearby residents would be likely to have their lives significantly disrupted by the proposals having regard to the need for uninterrupted sleep for all residents but in particular such disruption will affect residents ability to work and the ability

The issue is exacerbated by the lack of significant on site car parking on the complex and the nearby car parking available both on South Terrace and Victoria Embankment whereby departures through the night may be a significant likelihood and disruptive to a significant group of residents.

The road is extremely quiet at night and noise of customers departing the cinema especially where parked on the street would be a very likely cause to wake residents with bedrooms to the front of the houses, which given the layout of the houses is where the main bedrooms face, and in our case the nursery.

Charles Church - executive development, or simply lazy?

When Charles Church prepared to sell their executive homes at executive prices, they created a show garden at the entrance to the Feethams development. Is this 'top-show' approach indicative of their product?

More concerning Vue Entertainment's application for late hours licensing

For those who have been following this thread, here is a copy of my latest letter to the solicitors acting for Vue Entertainment. By way of background, they asked to meet (at a venue to be arranged by us) so that we could be 'informed' about their proposals.

As you have suggested, I declined the invitation, and here is my reply on behalf of the group.

Jonathan,

I am habitually willing to convene or attend meetings with regard to resolving issues, especially in relation to licensing matters.

Here however, I have a small problem, namely that in the past, Vue Entertainment's project developers have declined to engage with our Residents' group - indeed they have ignored our correspondence; and before issuing your extensive licensing application, Vue Entertainment Ltd made no attempt to contact or inform local residents' groups. Thus, we have got off to a poor start, with confidence in your clients being in issue.

You will be aware of the residents' position from the detailed objection that we have sent to Patrick Montgomery, the Licensing Officer (copied into this message). Our objection sets out a compromise position, to which you make no reference. As president of the South Terrace Residents' group, and their pro bono legal adviser, I would be willing to meet with you, but before doing so, we would need to agree an agenda for the meeting, and to have sight of your compromise proposals. 

This is not a case where the residents instruct me that they seek or require further information concerning the operation of Vue Entertainment and their proposed licensing practice. They are simply seeking a more proportionate application by them concerning the issue of late hours. 

I would have thought that this could be agreed quickly and conveniently in correspondence. If we are able to reach such compromise, the residents' group will withdraw its objection, and support the revised proposal. If not, my current instructions are to oppose the totality of Vue Entertainment's application.

By way of progressing this matter, I suggest the following:

1. Vue Entertainment provide a detailed written response to our concerns (as set out in our formal objection). I suggest that Patrick Montgomery, Licensing Officer, is again copied into this by way of open correspondence.
2. The response should include Vue Entertainment's compromise proposals with regard to licensing hours.
3. The Residents' group will provide a written response to your revised proposal, copying the Patrick into our reply.
4. If an agreed compromise can be reached, I will undertake on behalf of the residents, to withdraw our current objections, and indeed to support your clients' application.
5. If no agreement is reached, I propose that we seek a joint meeting with Patrick Montgomery, with the purpose of seeking to resolve the matter, or at least narrow and define any remaining differences. This will be of value to the Licensing Committee.

Please excuse the formality of my response. You will understand that I am acting on behalf of residents that are very concerned about the implications for them of Vue Entertainment's application, and I am aware that an adjudication by the Licensing Committee may be required.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Twist

Vue Entertainment Licence application: round 2

When Terrace Hill Developers put in their planning application for the cinema complex, I recall that we registered no objections - thinking that the development would be appropriately managed, regulated and good for Darlington.

Little did we realise that an application would follow for licensing hours that were so extravagantly long and late.

Reminding ourselves of the time when, during the development phase, we wrote an unanswered letter to the developers, there seems to have been little local engagement by either the developers,Terrace Hill or Vue Entertainments.

Our last blog entry bears the letter of objection that I sent on our behalf. It is clear, and to the point. It records our reasonable concerns, and proposes a very generous compromise.

If nothing else, it has created a response....but not a particularly encouraging one!

In his letter set out below, the para-legal for Vue Cinemas seems not to address our particular concerns, nor comment on our proposal for compromise - but simply to request that we arrange a meeting at which they can 'answer questions and concerns'.

Am I alone in thinking that this approach is totally inadequate, and suggests that our letter of objection has not been properly considered?

Unless residents ask me to engage in this particular process, it is my view that we should follow the official channels of challenge to the proposed application.

Do let me know your views.


Letter on behalf of Vue Entertainment

Dear Sir,

Allow me to introduce myself I work for the Solicitors Poppleston Allen which represent Vue Cinema.

As you are aware we have submitted a new premises licence on their behalf. We would like to arrange a meeting with yourselves and members of the resident group for a presentation of the planned cinema.

Kam Dosanjh, the Operations Manager for Vue Cinema, would be able to meet and answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding the application.

The availability of Kam is limited and he would like to set the meeting with you for Saturday 11^th July 2015 at Midday. The only problem that he would have is a meeting venue, the Council Offices would not be open at the weekend and the cinema is currently a building site. Would there be any available rooms or venues that you would be able to set the meeting up?

Thank you for your time in considering this e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Many thanks
Craig Barwell

Letter from the Licensing Officer Patrick Montgomery <Patrick.Montgomery@darlington.gov.uk> 2 Jul (6 days ago) to me Dear Mr Twist, I acknowledge receipt of your representation and confirm that the process for arranging a Licensing Committee hearing to consider the matter is underway. I will keep you informed of progress on this. Could I please ask you to telephone me as soon as is convenient to discuss the process? Regards, Patrick Montgomery Licensing Officer Town Hall Darlington DL1 5QT Tel: 01325 405980

Vue Entertainment Licences - Vue Cinema Feethams

A small poster, tucked away against the new development in Feethams notifies the following application:

Notice of application for the grant of a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Notice is hereby given that Vue Entertainment Limited has applied to Darlington Borough Council for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Premises to be known as Vue Cinema, Feethams Leisure, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 4QT The proposed licensable activities and their hours are :to permit the performance of plays, live music, recorded music and performance of dance from 0800 until 0300 each day; to permit the sale of alcohol from 0800 to 0230 each day; the showing of films and opening hours 24 hours each day and late night refreshment from 2300 to 0500 each day. Any representations regarding the above-mentioned application must be received in writing by Licensing Authority Darlington Borough Council/Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5QT no later than 1st July 2015 stating the grounds for representation. The register of Darlington Borough Council and the record of the application may be inspected at the address of the council, given above,during normal business hours or on the council's website - www.darlington.gov.uk

Here is a copy of my submission on your behalf:

The South Terrace Residents' Group is aware of this application, and as president of the group, I have been asked to respond on their behalf.
Darlington Council website is unhelpful as to how our objections can be recorded. We anticipate that this is not a Planning matter, but hope that you can forward our comments to the relevant department at the Town Hall. The 'no later than' date for receipt of objections is 1 July 2015.


The residents of South Terrace have the following concerns in relation to the applications by Vue Entertainments Limited, for Vue Cinema Feethams:

• The duration of the performance licence: we feel that 0300 hrs is too late and will result in localised disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are sleeping.
• The duration of the alcohol sale licence: we feel that 0230 hrs is too late, and will result in a late night influx of customers, with attendant issues relating to alcohol and public order. It is of note that the council do not permit sales as late as this at other venues for good reason.
• The late night refreshment licence: we cannot see justification for 0500 hrs, and consider that this will result in localised noise disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are sleeping.

We contend that:

1. existing residents' right to undisturbed environment and a night's sleep has priority over late night operations.
2. performances should terminate no later than 0100 hrs - which will give sufficient opportunity for Vue Entertainment Ltd to screen late night films;
3. the sale of alcohol should not extend beyond 1200 hrs midnight, save within the cinema bar and auditorium during late night screening, where sales could continue to 0100 hrs;
4. late night refreshment licence should be limited to 0200 hrs for venues within the semi-enclosed concourse only.

Some residents have expressed concerns in relation to the times suggested above, and would prefer earlier cessation. That which appears above not local consensus, but is proposed by the group as a reasonable compromise.

For the benefit of the licencing committee, it should be recorded that the South Terrace Residents' Group, is a long standing group comprising 43 households - 100% of currently occupied homes in South Terrace and Pease Cottages, DL1 5JA. http://southterrace.blogspot.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/southterrace/.

Please confirm receipt of this objection by email.

Stephen Twist
President South Terrace Residents' Group

Spring news round-up

It is with sadness that January saw the death of Ken at no 7; followed this month by the death of Karen at no.9. This leaves two large holes in our small community.

The Charles Church development on the Feethams football field site has proceeded slowly and somewhat painfully, but it seems that we are past the worse of wagons and mud. Now we are in to the 'marketing' stage.

Feethams Green is now accessed by Greener Drive (Ron Greener), leading to Peverell Walk (John Peverell).

Quaint but unimaginative! Whatever happened to Lance Armstrong Lane or  Arthur Wharton Avenue?



Maybe we should take issue with the 'Quakers' and request a change of name?

With the development, we seem to have acquired a new garden. Residents are non-too-sure who will maintain it, but perhaps Darlington Guerilla Gardeners can be persuaded?

On the other side of Victoria Road, we hear that the £30m leisure complex is now 'topped out'.

The development will provide a nine-screen Vue Cinema, an 80-bed Premier Inn hotel, a Nandos, Purple Pig, Hungry Horse, Prezzo, Bella Italia and a Chinese buffet. We need never go hungry! Whilst residents have mixed feelings concerning the development, it has to be an improvement on the locality, compared with a derelict bus station or a large car park.

My letter to the developers requesting free tickets for the cinema opening clearly fell on deaf ears...almost as deaf as ours' following the thumping of the pile drivers. When the cinema is about to open I will have another go!

And now, the news that you have all been waiting for....the results of 'South Terrace in Bloom' Spring Edition.

There were five gardens in the short-list. Nos 5 

(Les & Joan), 18 (Jim), 19 (Yvonne), 20 (Gary) and 23 (Lorraine) - note I have named the gardeners responsible! A late vote from Miles Twist has resulted in a dead heat between no 5 and no 20. The prize is a pint in the club.

'The Best Gnome' award goes to Jim!

Scruffy

Letter to Terrace Hill

A number of residents have expressed some distress at the pile driving across the road at the Feethams North development. Yes, in a building of this type and scale on the banks of the Skerne, driving piles was inevitable, so it appears that we will have to bear it with sanguinity.

Today, I have emailed the developers to make them aware of the issue. Here is a copy of my letter.


"South Terrace residents (residents off Feethams South) have been, and still are supportive of the Terrace Hill development at Feethams. Indeed we submitted a joint representation in support of it at the planning stage. 

Pile driving has however been a big concern to quite a number of them - a task that we know is essential for the development. The problem has been one of both noise, and vibration throughout our homes here.

I wondered whether you would consider offering our 25 homes here a pair of complimentary cinema tickets by way of recognition of the inconvenience? I sense it would be appreciated as a neighbourly gesture.

Stephen Twist, President of the South Terrace Residents Association."

Ken Harbin 1933- 2015

Ken Harbin, our neighbour, was born in 1933 in Betws-y-coed to William Brewis Harbin and Helena May Harbin and spent must of his early years while his father was serving in the Royal Engineers with his brother Colin living on a farm near Roadhead, Cumbria .

In 1949 Ken joined the army serving in Egypt and Africa. His role was to analyse the high resolution stereo photographs taken by reconnaissance aircraft tracking the movement of insurgent forces and hidden vehicles.

As a young man he played a lot of tennis and cricket. 

It was whilst serving in Kenya that he met Dulcie, they married on 4th June 1955. They honeymooned at the Shelley Beach Hotel Nairobi, and while in Kenya they had their first son 'Antony' - known to many of the South Terrace residents. Later after returning to the UK their second son 'Stephen' was born.

Many are aware Ken spent time in his later years tending the gardens of close friends and neighbours. His love and knowledge for all things 'green' developed while the family lived in Newton Bewley, Hartlepool - there he grew the food that kept his family fed throughout the years. The garden was larger than most allotments and he grew all manner of fruit and vegetables; he also kept pigs, turkeys, chickens, anything that could either be sold/swapped or eaten - the original 'good life'.

In 1960 Ken started working at Cameron's Brewery based in Hartlepool, and his first role was 'area sales rep'. He worked for Camerons for many years rising through the ranks to finish as Regional Manager for the North of England. It was while working for Cameron Brewery that the family moved to South Terrace in 1965 and his award-winning 'hedge at No7' began its development! He continued with this company until his retirement.

Along with his love for his family, his next passion was for fishing.

Ken won many trophies and titles for Sea fishing from both shore and boat. The team of sea fishermen operated out of the 'Greyhound' pub in Parkgate (Kens local for many years). They team took part in many local and national competitions. 

When not able to get to the sea he was also a keen and very accomplished trout fisherman.
















One evening after his retirement from Camerons whilst Ken was having a swift half or two in the Greyhound, a member of staff from the Civic Theatre across the road from the pub came in looking for someone to help pull a couple of ropes during a performance; Ken gave it a go. That evening of rope pulling lasted for many years, during which he also moved/built scenery and moved performance equipment in and out of the Civic. He has held the rope while quite a few celebrities flew across the stage during panto time.

Ken will be missed enormously by his friends here on the terrace. He was the perfect neighbour.

Ken's last Christmas on the terrace

Action Fraud

This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

Cold calls, on line, suspect emails. Here in South Terrace we are not immune. To help, read what steps you can take - as advised by the national agency.

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

We are the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and financially motivated cyber crime and are run by the City of London Police, working alongside the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. Our specialist team uses information from all of the fraud and cyber crime cases reported to us to create alerts about new types of crime or those which are increasing in severity.

Further to the message you received on the 19th December from the Neighbourhood Alerts team, we are delighted to now be working together with this network because it means that we can share our prevention alerts with you from now on. Don’t worry – we will send only a reasonable amount of these alerts to you, and only when we think that they may be relevant, in the hope that you will be able to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this type of crime.  

Issues that we commonly see, and that we will be informing you about specifically over the coming weeks and months include the following:

• People who call to tell you that there is a problem with your bank card and that they need to collect it from you to fix the problem;
• Fraud committed by people selling event / entertainment tickets, weight-loss / teeth whitening drugs, or vehicles online;
• Fraud committed by people who cold-call thousands of people in the UK in order to sell them an investment in shares or precious metals, or who want them to invest their pension;
• People pretending to be someone they are not in order to persuade your business to send money to a new bank account to pay for an invoice;
• The activities of cyber-criminals who want to infect your computer or smartphone in order to steal your banking details or “lock” important files to prevent you from using or viewing them;
• Fraudsters who persuade people to pay a fee in advance of receiving a loan, which never appears. 

All of these can be avoided by following the simple prevention advice we will include in every alert we send you, which you will also be able to find on the Action Fraud website

We hope that you find our alerts interesting and that they can help you to keep the criminals at arm’s length.

You will also continue to receive messages as normal from the agencies who already communicate with you.

Thanks for your attention,

The Action Fraud team

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, please report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.