News: Brighton creates the biggest cumulative impact area in UK

  • Date: 04/01/2012
  • Source: Poppleston Allen
  • Author/Solicitor: James Anderson



Brighton and Hove City Council has almost doubled the size of an alcohol crackdown zone creating the biggest cumulative impact area (CIA) in the UK.

The existing cumulative impact area has now expanded to take in the area near the main station, Western Road in Hove and the North Laine - a network of streets known for its independent traders. The local authority proposed the plans, which were backed by police and health professionals, in response to concerns about noise and antisocial behaviour. Consequently applications for a new alcohol licence and any variation applications in this area may be turned down unless the pub, club or shop owners can show that existing drink-related problems will not be made worse- a difficult task for any new operators.

The Special Stress Areas (SSAs), which are closely monitored, will also be expanded stretching from Holland Road in the west to Freshfield Road in the east. They will take in, among other areas, London Road and the area around Brighton railway station. SSAs differ from CIAs. Whilst new and varied applications for premises and club premises certificates within SSAs will not be subject to the presumption of refusal, operators are expected to pay special attention when drawing up their operating schedules and to make positive proposals to ensure that their operation will not add to the problems faced in these areas. In addition to this, the Council has further tightened its policy by adopting a 'matrix approach', along with notes on how this will be applied, which considers the outcome of applications to sell alcohol depending on the type of premises applying for a licence and the area in which it is located.

Brighton and Hove City Council's CIA expansion highlights the growing use of CIAs, a tool introduced under the Statutory Guidance of the Licensing Act 2003, and that many licensing authorities see cumulative impact areas as an effective and necessary tool in promoting the licensing objectives.

This latest licensing authority decision is another example of tighter restrictions being placed on operators by licensing authorities, in particular to control and limit the growth of licensed premises in an area.



For more information please contact James Anderson