Consultation begins on proposals for a Dalston Special Policy Area
Residents and businesses are invited to have their say on proposals to introduce a Special Policy Area (SPA) in Dalston, as part of the review of the Hackney Council's Licensing Policy. The consultation runs until 18 October 2013
The proposed Dalston SPA aims to balance the area's vibrant and popular night time economy, so that people can keep coming to Dalston for a great night out without adding problems to the area for residents or spoiling their quality of life. The proposals will help to manage the growth of licensed premises in the area and make sure that they are well run.
The SPA will not affect those pubs, clubs and restaurants already in the area. It will only apply to new applications.
It does not mean no new licence application will be granted but will make it very hard for late night venues to open up in the area. Since 2009, 49 new licences have been applied for and granted*.
Several have also been granted to operators in Shoreditch despite a SPA being in place.
The council and the police believe that Dalston has reached saturation point as there are now 148 alcohol licensed businesses and 63 selling late night refreshments. Significant anti-social behavior and disorder including noisy crowds, crowds of people blocking the pavements and people urinating in the street are being reported by residents. Dalston receives the second highest amount of noise complaints relating to the night time economy. Between 2009 and 2012 complaints rose by 12% in the proposed SPA zone.
Ambulance call outs have also gone up between 2009 and 2012. It is also putting increased pressure on waste services to clear up litter and refuse.
The Special Policy Area for Dalston proposes a considered approach for the granting of licence applications to try to ensure that anti-social behaviour doesn't increase in the area. For instance, licences would only be granted after midnight in exceptional circumstances but if a pub or restaurant wanted a licence up to 11pm Monday to Thursday this may be considered acceptable.
Dalston is now one of the most popular places to go for a night out in London. Since 2009 we've seen a significant number of licensed premises open in the area and we need to find a way to manage this growth. I'd like to reassure businesses that it will not affect the venues already up and running. It is not a 'blanket' ban on new licences being granted. What we are trying to do is balance the vibrant night life with those who live in the area. We want to hear the views of residents and businesses in and near the SPA area.
It's important that we hear from residents in the area about our proposals for managing applications for licensed premises in the future. We want businesses to thrive and people to keep coming to Hackney for a great night out with out disturbing residents or spoiling their quality of life.
The proposed Dalston SPA stretches along the A10 from the junction of Kingsland Road and Middleton Road in the south to the junction of Stoke Newington Road and Evering Road to the north.
How residents and businesses can have their say
The questionnaire can be completed online until 18 October at www.hackney.gov.uk/licensing
Email licensing@hackney.gov.uk with Dalston SPA as the subject or call 020 8356 4942 for more information or to request paper copies of the consultation documents.
Consultation drop in sessions
Local residents and businesses are invited to come along, ask questions and find out more about any aspect of the consultation.
Monday 2 September 4pm to 8pm
Dalston C.L.R James Library, 240 Dalston Lane, E8 3AZ
Saturday 28 September 10am to 4pm
Kingsland Shopping Centre, Kingsland High Street, E8 2NE
*New licences granted since 2009:
- 5 in 2009
- 14 in 2010
- 19 in 2011
- 11 in 2012