Sexual Entertainment Venue Policy - Coventry City Council

10 Number of Sexual Entertainment Venues
10.1 As set out within paragraph 8.4(c) above, paragraph 12 of Schedule 3 provides that
a Local Authority may refuse an application if it is satisfied that the number of sex
establishments or sex establishments of a particular kind in a relevant locality at the
time the application is made is equal to or exceeds the number which the authority
consider is appropriate for that locality. The Council is able to determine that the
appropriate number for a locality is nil.
10.2 The Council recognises that historically a small number of sex establishments
have traded in the city without significant concern. However the Council does not
wish to see a proliferation of these types of premises within the city as a whole.
Therefore it is prepared to license a limited number of Sexual Entertainment Venues
on the following basis.
10.3 The Council has chosen to set on an interim basis until consideration and decision
by Cabinet and/or full Council a guidance upper limit on the number of SEVs which
it considers appropriate within the following localities within the Council’s
administrative area:
a. City Centre (defined as that area within the ring-road) – up to a maximum of 2
SEV's;
b. Outer City (defined as the remainder of the City outside the City Centre) – nil
SEV's.
This is subject to review by the Cabinet and/or full Council and such further decision
or decisions as may be taken by Cabinet or Council within 12 months of the 16 th
November 2011 (Cabinet having the option to refer the policy in full or any part of
thereof to full Council). A guidance upper limit does not preclude an application
from being considered on its merits. However the guidance upper limit is unlikely to
be overridden unless there are exceptional reasons for doing so.
11 Unsuitability of Premises
11.1 As set out within paragraph 8.4 (d) above, paragraph 12 of Schedule 3 provides that
a local authority may refuse an application if it is satisfied that granting or renewing
a licence would be inappropriate having regard to the character of the relevant
locality, or the use to which any other premises in the vicinity are put, or due to the
layout, character or condition of the application premises (vehicle/vessel/stall). This
power is in addition to and without prejudice to, the power to refuse an application
based on the appropriate number of SEV's within the City as referred to at
paragraph 10 above.
11.2 With reference to paragraph 8.4 ‘relevant locality’ for the purposes of paragraph 12
(3)(d) of Schedule 3 of the Act means
(i) in relation to the premises, the locality where they are situated, and
(ii) in relation to a vehicle, vessel or stall, any locality where it is desired to use it as
a sex establishment.
11.3 With reference to paragraph 8.4 (d) in considering if the grant, or renewal of the
licence would be inappropriate, having regard to the character of the relevant
locality or to the use of which any premises in the vicinity are put, the Licensing
Authority shall consider, among other considerations, whether the grant of the
application would be inappropriate, having regard to:
(a) the fact that the premises are sited in a residential area;
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