Concerns about Northern Roots licence application

Fears have been raised about ‘unwelcome sounds’ and cannabis-smoking youths descending on an urban farm if music is played outdoors.

Northern Roots said it is taking concerns seriously, but says its plans would be a positive for Oldham.

Earlier this month, the first phase of the £12.9m Northern Roots urban farm development next to Alexandra Park officially opened.

Covering around 160 acres to the south of Oldham town centre next to Alexandra Park, the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park spans Snipe Clough Farm, outdoor play areas, a forestry skills centre, walking trails orchards, woodlands and wetlands, and a farm-to-fork café.

The farm has had a successful launch and now those behind the project are wanting to take things one step further. Northern Roots (Oldham) Ltd has asked Oldham council for permission to stay open until 12.30pm.

They are also seeking permission to sell alcohol and late night refreshment until midnight Monday to Sunday. A request for both live and recorded music permission has also been made.

Northern Root’s application to the council reads: “The ability to provide a carefully selected alcohol offer alongside food and events will support the quality, viability and versatility of the venue and allow Northern Roots to provide a complete hospitality experience for visitors and event guests.

“The licence application is intended to provide sufficient flexibility for the Welcome Building and its external areas to host appropriate events from time to time, including community, cultural, educational, arts, food and drink, seasonal and private events.

“This flexibility will enable Northern Roots to develop a varied programme which broadens access to the site, supports its charitable and community objectives and contributes positively to Oldham’s cultural and visitor offer.”

The plans have faced opposition from couple Steven and Anita Bird in Medlock Vale.

In a representation, Mrs Bird said: “There are a number of youths who abuse the area at the weekends and on public and school holidays, and so having outside music (potentially every day of the year) will attract them even more and encourage them to loiter in one area drinking and smoking cannabis.

“It is already difficult enough for local residents to relax when they gather with motorbikes and quadbikes on Snipe Clough, which is adjacent to the field where the notices have been erected. It will be far worse for them, and attract more crime and disorder if music is played outdoors on a regular basis.”

She added: “It is unacceptable for the local residents to have to listen to unwelcome sounds at any time of the day but especially in the evening when they may have to work the next morning. This could have a very negative affect on their lives.”

Council documents show Northern Roots do not plan to play music continually until midnight seven days a week and the operation will not be like a bar or a nightclub. No outside music would be played after 9pm and ‘the intention is to create a well-managed, family-friendly community and visitor destination’.

Nicola Lord, the council’s main licensing officer, said Northern Roots had offered to meet with the couple. She also pointed out the Deregulation Act 2015 allows ‘a premises that holds a licence to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises is permitted to allow live amplified or recorded music on the premises between the hours of 8am and 11pm for audiences of up to 500 people’.

The couple has not backed down, with Mr Bird telling Northern Roots its assurances are ‘moot’ and ‘meaningless’. Mrs Bird said a licence being granted ‘would be disastrous’.

Anna da Silva, CEO of Northern Roots, said: “We completely understand that residents will want clarity around any premises licence application, and we take those concerns seriously.

“The application relates only to the area around our Welcome Building and the two adjacent pitches, rather than the wider 160-acre Northern Roots site. Its purpose is to give us the flexibility to host occasional community, cultural, educational, food and seasonal events alongside the day-to-day operation of the Welcome Building as a café and visitor destination.

“To be clear, we are not seeking to operate Northern Roots as a late-night bar, nightclub or regular outdoor music venue. We have also proposed a condition preventing amplified live or recorded music outdoors after 9pm. After conversations with emergency services, we’re encouraged to hear that Northern Roots’ presence on the site has already contributed to a reduction in antisocial behaviour.

“Only two objections have been received, both from residents of the same property almost one kilometre from the licensed area. We will continue to work constructively through the licensing process and are committed to being a responsible neighbour and creating a welcoming, well-managed community asset for Oldham.”