Licence for melted cheese restaurant despite concern over owl noise impact
A melted cheese restaurant has been granted a licence despite concerns from residents including that it would affect being able to hear owls.
Melt, in Billesley Lane, Moseley, has permission to serve alcohol following a Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee hearing which heard opposition from neighbours.
The restaurant, which will specialise in melted cheese dishes, will open from 9am-8pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am-9pm on Sundays.
It has permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 9am-8pm from Monday to Saturday, and on the premises until 7.30pm, with both ending at 6.30pm on Sundays.
This keeps within an existing planning condition for the site which stated the hours of use were limited to 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am-7pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The licensing meeting last week heard objections from a number of residents.
One had previously stated there would be a “potentially catastrophic” impact in the area where it is currently possible to hear owls and wildlife.
Lisa Dingley, director of Moseley Food and Drink Ltd and owner of the restaurant, had said the restaurant aims to bring together the “wonderful and vibrant community”.
The sub-committee has now given its decision.
It said: “The premises would offer relaxed family dining with a menu based around melted cheese dishes, wine and craft beers.
“The applicant company wanted to bring the area to life and to live in harmony with neighbours. The director and her partner said that they were keen to build relations and trust.
“They saw the licensing objectives as good for their business as well as the local area.
“Members carefully considered the representations made by local residents but were not convinced that there was an evidential and causal link between the issues raised and the effect on the licensing objectives.
“It appeared to the sub-committee that some of those objecting seemed to be unhappy at the prospect of the premises operating at all, but as the agent put it, the meeting was to consider the grant of a licence, and not ‘to debate the premises’ existence’.
“As the applicant company’s agent observed, it was far more desirable for any premises to trade under the strict controls of a licence, than for patrons to bring their own alcohol.
“The sub-committee noted the comments of the director and her partner regarding their plan to make the business fit in well with the local community.”
