Cumulative Impact Assessment Consultation

The large number of licensed venues in a particular area of the city may result in the congregation of people in that area. This can cause problems such as crime and disorder and public nuisance. This includes issues such as anti-social behaviour, noise, litter and risks to public safety. Where a licensing authority has evidence of such problems it can introduce a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) for a defined location.

A Cumulative Impact Assessment aims to reduce crime and public nuisance in a defined area by making it more difficult for certain licensed premises in that area to apply for a new licence, extend their operating hours, or increase the size or capacity of their premises. A CIA can apply to venues that serve alcohol such as bars and nightclubs, as well as off-licences, late-night take-aways and other types of premises.

Once the licensing authority (the council) has published a CIA it must keep it in mind when writing or changing its statement of licensing policy.

The CIA does not, however, change the way that licensing decisions are made. It is not a ban on new licences, and each licence application must still be looked at on its own merits. The council could still grant an application if considered appropriate if the applicant can show in its application that they would not be adding to the problems of crime, disorder and public nuisance (cumulative impact issues).

Applicants within a CIA area should therefore consider cumulative impact issues when setting out the steps that they will take to promote the licensing objectives.

If the council decides to grant an application it will need to provide the applicant, the chief officer of police and all parties who made relevant representations with reasons for granting the application and this should include any reasons for departing from its own policy.

The Current Cumulative Impact Assessment for the City Centre

The current Statement of Licensing Policy includes a CIA in relation to the central area of the city within the Cabot Sector including the Welsh Back area and Stokes Croft. A map of the existing CIA is available at www.bristol.gov.uk/CIAMap.

The current policy was introduced at the request of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, who presented evidence that demonstrated the central area of Bristol was at saturation point with regard to the number of licensed premises.

The current CIA states that the area, which has a significant concentration of alcohol-led late night venues, witnesses a high number of assaults and other related crime and disorder including public nuisance and risk to public safety.

The CIA applies to further applications for the grant of new licences or significant variations of existing licences in respect of premises that primarily sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, other late night uses, restaurants and take away outlets.

The main focus of the assessment is alcohol led establishments and premises that keep customers in the area at times when the promotion of the licensing objectives is most challenging (for example late night refreshment from “fast food” outlets).

The current policy can be seen at: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/files/documents/7394-cumulative-impact-assessment-2024-2027/file