Cumulative Impact Assessment for the Otley Run - consultation
- Izaak Wilson
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
As you may know, a few years ago we successfully persuaded the council to adopt a 'Cumulative Impact' policy for the part of our ward that includes the Otley Run.
This means new Licensing applications or variations on existing Licences have a higher bar for proving they won't add to the cumulative impact on public health and nuisance caused by the Otley Run in particular.
This policy is up for renewal. We've also asked for it to be strengthened so that when applications are looked at the councillors from across parties and areas who sit on those committees have a clearer idea of why and how to prevent new licences adding to the Otley Run. This has been agreed!
You can read the draft policy in full using the link below. We realised that we'd shared this consultation but not in this newsletter, and the deadline for responses is only on Wednesday. Apologies! There has been a good range of responses already from the community, including various resident's associations, and the evidence behind the policy is strong. Nonetheless it's worth you sending a quick email to the Entertainment Licensing team using the details below to explain why you'd like to see it renewed.
Read the draft policy:
Full details of how to respond from the council:
~We are reviewing the council’s cumulative impact assessment and are seeking your views. We are writing to you as a resident, or someone that represents residents, or a responsible authority.
As a licensing authority we may publish a cumulative impact assessment every three years. The last assessment was undertaken in 2022 and is valid until the end of this year. Cumulative Impact Areas are designated under the Licensing Act 2003 to manage the negative effects of high concentrations of licensed premises. They aim to protect the four licensing objectives:
Prevention of crime and disorder
Public safety
Prevention of public nuisance
Protection of children from harm
Applications in CIA areas must demonstrate there will be no negative cumulative impact. Responsible authorities (e.g. West Yorkshire Police, Licensing Authority) will likely object to applications unless strong mitigation is proposed.
Specifying an area as suffering from cumulative impact is not a decision taken lightly. The law requires that the evidence must be strong, but in Leeds the council has found this policy to be very helpful in ensuring that alcohol licensed premises are not allowed to proliferate to a point where it impacts on residents. Although it is difficult to quantify the impact a cumulative impact area has, ward councillors report that this is a policy that has helped their wards by encouraging better quality applications that take into considerations the issues being experienced, and where the applications are not of good quality, it assists Licensing Committee in making decisions.
The policy provides a range of data including alcohol risk, crime and nuisance data as well as testimonies and statements from residents and agencies. We thank all contributors for their generosity and time.
Your comments should be made in writing and sent by 31st October 2025, email: entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk
At the end of the consultation period, we will review the comments we receive. We will produce a report which includes the responses and any changes that may be required following the consultation. Although we intend to protect the personal information included in the responses we receive, the contents will be included in the report. Please indicate if this concerns you, or if you would specifically like your details to be released."
