COUNCIL KEEN TO NOTIFY NEIGHBOURS ABOUT LICENSING APPLICATIONS

Local people, who could be affected by applications for alcohol and gambling licences, will now be directly notified before each application is considered, following a decision made by Woking Borough Council's Executive at its meeting last week (Thursday 28 September 2006).

Although applicants currently have to advertise their applications in local press and at the premises, the Council believes that immediate neighbours should be contacted by letter to give them a further opportunity to consider the application and respond, if appropriate.

Woking Borough Council is one of the first boroughs in Surrey to take this step to ensure that all affected parties can have their say before any decision is made. The Council was a leader 20 years ago in adopting a similar policy in relation to planning applications.

Cllr Philip Goldenberg, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Licensing, said: "We are keen to give local people every possible opportunity to have a say in decisions about their environment. This latest move will ensure that immediate neighbours are fully aware of applications concerning nearby premises and able to make representations if they so wish."

For further information about applications relating to the Licensing Act 2003 or the Gambling Act 2005, please contact Woking Borough Council's Licensing Team on 01483 743731. ENDS (622)