East Sussex school seeks alcohol sales licence
An alcohol licence bid for a school boarding house has been made.
A Rother District Council licensing panel is due to consider an application for Leeford Lodge, a former hotel near Whatlington, on November 16. The site is now used as a boarding house Battle Abbey School students.
The school wants to use the property, in Mill Lane, as a wedding venue during holidays. The application states: “The school wishes to licence the site for sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment for weddings and celebratory functions during the school holidays. During this time no pupils will be on site.
“During term time, all alcohol will be securely stored and will not be on open display.
“The site is part of the prestigious Battle Abbey School. There will be no public walk up to use the licensed facilities. There is no intention to have a ‘bar’ open at the site outside of functions.”
The application says the functions would only take place “from the day after any school term ends until the second day before school term begins”. This would include half-term breaks.
The licence being sought would allow for live and recorded music and on and off-sales of alcohol between midday and midnight, seven days a week.
The hearing has been called as a result of eight public objections.
Whatlington Parish Council argues the application is “incomplete” and needs to provide additional information around how the venue would avoid creating a public nuisance.
A spokesman for the parish council said:“[Local licensing policy] states the council will expect the schedule to demonstrate how it is intended that the premises will be ‘good neighbours’, both to residents and to other venues and businesses.
“The schedule makes no attempt to demonstrate how the premises will be good neighbours, there being no reference to this at all, despite having residential properties as immediate neighbours.”
Similar concerns have been raised by other objectors.
In a report to councillors, officers say the premises had already held a licence as part of its previous use as a hotel. This allowed for on and off-sales of alcohol from 10am to midnight and live and recorded music from 10.30am to midnight, both seven days each week.
It was formally surrendered in October 2024 after the council approved a planning application for a change of use in August. Officers say further planning permission will be required to also use the building for functions.