The Wheatsheaf Building is a new café kiosk and private hire centre run by the London Wildlife Trust in Grosvenor Square
A new venue in the heart of a reopened West End public garden may start selling alcohol and playing indoor music under plans submitted by the London Wildlife Trust.
The Trust, which runs a number of nature reserves and other green spaces across the capital, has applied for a premises licence to support The Wheatsheaf Building in the redesigned Grosvenor Square.
The building is operated by the Trust, which has partnered with Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation to deliver environmental programmes from the premises. It is already in-use as a café and education space.
If approved the licence will enable it to run small-scale events, the income from which will go towards the charity.
Its submission, filed with the local authority, Westminster City Council, is due to be decided at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting tomorrow (August 20).
The Trust has requested licensable hours from 9am until 9pm seven days a week, with any events to end by 10pm.
Alcohol is only to be served to guests attending private functions with a maximum capacity of 50 people.
In consultation the council’s Environmental Health team raised concerns about whether the sales of alcohol could cause an increase in public nuisance, as could the playing of live and recorded music.
They however withdrew their application after additional conditions were agreed with the applicant.
Several identical objections were also submitted, including one filed “on behalf of Intraders (B.V.I.) Ltd”, which claimed there was limited engagement with local residents about the proposal as well as fears such as the impacts of noise and food preparation.
“Given the unique residential nature of Grosvenor Square and the close proximity of residential buildings to the proposed venue, it is important that residents are able to understand fully the likely impact of the proposed operation on their quiet enjoyment of their homes and the Square,” the objections concluded.
One of the opposing representations did deviate from this template, with concerns including the impact of lighting from the café on wildlife in the square.
Charlie Sims, Director of Visitor Experience at the London Wildlife Trust, said that they have had “positive communication” with the residents, with many of their fears reportedly alleviated.
“We remain in constructive communication, with our latest correspondence addressing the outstanding concerns from residents.”
Grosvenor Square was recently transformed to boost its biodiversity and attraction to potential visitors.
In July the new-look square reopened, boasting 150,000 new plants, 40 new trees, 300 extra seats and the Wheatsheaf café building, among other changes.
Ahead of the reopening the Duke of Westminster, a descendant of Sir Richard Grosvenor who created the square in the 18th century, said: “This transformation is about showing how historic urban spaces can work well for people, nature and the climate. We are grateful to the thousands of people who helped shape the project, including many young people whose ideas influenced the final design.
“I hope Grosvenor Square becomes a place where everyone can pause, explore and connect with nature in the heart of the city, and where future generations can develop a sense of wonder about the natural world.”
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