Agenda item

To consider an application from Epsom Downs Racecourse for the use of barbecues at the Racecourse during Ladies Day, Derby Day and August Bank Holiday race meetings.

The Conservators received a report requesting the consideration of an application from Epsom Downs Racecourse for the use of barbecues at the Racecourse during Ladies Day, Derby Day and August Bank Holiday race meetings.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Nature of application. Simon Durrant informed the Conservators that  the Racecourse had submitted an application to enable BBQ’s to be held in specified areas during three racing fixtures – Ladies Day, Derby Day and the August Bank Holiday race meeting. Mr Durrant informed the meeting that this would be a return to similar arrangements which had been in place prior to 2011. The application had been made to address a detrimental affect upon visitor numbers which the current restrictions had created.

b)            Risks and risk management. Members of the Conservators noted that a decision to permit the use of BBQ’s would inherently carry a level of risk to the Downs and its visitors. Simon Durrant informed the meeting that the Racecourse proposed to manage these risks by restricting BBQ use to specified “zones” and other measures. These included:

·                     not permitting the use of BBQs on any dates except the 3 race meetings applied for;

·                     requiring all BBQs to be raised off the ground;

·                     providing control measures on the Hill, including mobile teams equipped with necessary fire fighting equipment and trained staff to educate customers and ensure the safe use and disposal of BBQs.

It was noted that it was proposed to bring a scheme/conditions of use for BBQ’s on the Downs to a future meeting of the Conservators, should the Conservators approve the Racecourse’s request. It was also noted that visitors to the Downs could be prosecuted under the Byelaws if they attempted to light BBQs on the Downs on days other than those approved by the Conservators.

c)            Climate change considerations. The Conservators noted that the Borough Council had recently agreed to produce a Climate Change Action Plan in response to the UK Government declaring a Climate Change Emergency. It was noted that an air quality impact assessment could be included in the measures set out in a scheme for the use of BBQs on the Downs if the Conservators approved the Racecourse’s request.

d)            Conditional approval. Members of the Conservators considered that if approval was granted to the proposal it should be on a conditional time limited basis to enable any impact to be assessed.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

That the Conservators:

(1)      Considered the request from Epsom Downs Racecourse to hold barbecues at the Racecourse during Ladies Day, Derby Day and August Bank Holiday race meetings;

(2)      Considered the options set out in the report at paragraph 2.10;

That the Conservators resolved with three Members voting for and two Members voting against:

(3)      To agree that they were minded to grant conditional permission to the request from Epsom Downs Racecourse, and to ask the Council to draw up a scheme, or a set of conditions for the use of barbecues at the Racecourse and to bring such proposed scheme / conditions of use, back to the Conservators for approval.