Archbishop of Canterbury’s Licensing Objections Rejected by Council

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s plea against a late licence for a public house in Oxford has been ignored because he is not ‘local enough’.

Dr Rowan Williams wrote a letter to the local authority expressing concerns over the extended opening hours of the Golden Ball, according to The Times Online.

However, under the new Licensing Act which states that objectors must live within the vicinity of the objected building, his objection was ignored.

The Golden Ball lays just opposite the John Henry Newman College, which is dedicated to the significant figure in the Church of England. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the site which houses a group of nuns.

After visiting the college and being alerted that the Golden Ball had applied under new laws to stay open until 2.30am and host live music events until midnight, Dr William wrote to the local council that the college and chapel were a “place of national interest and international heritage” due to their connection with Cardinal Newman.

“Should the licence be granted there is a great danger of increase in crime and disorder, public nuisance and decreased public safety at a place which is dear to people from various Christian traditions,” he wrote according to The Times.

But Oxford City Council’s reply was that the Licensing Act will be accepted only by members of the public “in the vicinity”, thus blocking the intervention by the Anglican Communion head.