Walsall extend cumulative impact areas in updated licensing policy

Following a cumulative impact area (CIA) consultation earlier this summer, Walsall’s full council approved an updated licensing policy, expanding the cumulative impact policy currently in place across the WS1 postcode area. These changes to the policy have taken effect.

Responsible authorities had provided evidence that the WS1 post code area for Walsall were saturated with licensed premises (‘on/off licences’ and late night refreshment) and the level of saturation was having a significant cumulative effect, which undermined the licensing objectives. In light of the findings, Walsall approved the updated cumulative impact policy.

This policy applies to applications relating to the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption ‘on and off’ the premises’ and for the provisions of late night refreshment in the extended area within Walsall. In this area applicants will be required to demonstrate how the granting of their licence application will not have a cumulative impact on the licensing objectives to avoid the presumption to refuse the application where relevant representations are received.

As always with such policies, the net effect will be to make it much more difficult to obtain a licence or material variation in this area in the future.

Full details can be found within Walsall Council’s website within the updated licensing policy here.

For further information on this or any other alcohol licensing issue, contact licensing Solicitor, Suraj Desor at s.desor@popall.co.uk.