Gloucester City Council has included a special policy of Cumulative Impact within its Statement of Licensing Policy since 2005.
This special policy was introduced by the Council following evidence provided by Gloucestershire Constabulary which at that time demonstrated that the area around Eastgate Street was adversely affected by an increase in crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour due to a large number of licensed premises being concentrated within that area.
In 2021, Members of the Licensing and Enforcement Committee made the decision to continue to include the special policy of Cumulative Impact within its Statement of Licensing Policy following evidence that was presented by Gloucestershire Constabulary and therefore published a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) in accordance with the legislation.
The change from a CIP to a CIA has no practical effect as to how applications are to be dealt with when they are received. The differences are that there is a requirement that the Council must review the CIA every 3 years, and there must be a full consultation before a CIA can be implemented.
Members of the Licensing and Enforcement Committee in December agreed that an eight week consultation was to take place in order to review the current Cumulative Impact Policy and whether it is still required.
We are seeking your views on whether there is still a need for a CIP within the area of Eastgate Street.
If it is your view that it is still required then this evidence will then be presented to the Licensing and Enforcement Committee in March for members to make a final decision. If Members agree that it is still needed, then the Council will then have to review its CIA.
Send your comments to licensing@gloucester.gov.uk
The closing date for any comments is 12 February 2025.
