Combating nuisance drinking in Fakenham town centre

Residents and businesses in Fakenham town centre are being asked for their views about a new proposal for combating nuisance drinking in public places in the town centre.

North Norfolk District Council is working with Norfolk Constabulary and Fakenham Town Council to see if a Designated Public Place Order would be a welcome move in the town. The order would mean that any adult drinker who was causing a nuisance, and who didn’t stop drinking alcohol when asked to by a police officer, would be committing a criminal offence.

The order would not be a ban on drinking in the town centre, and would only apply in public areas. Private gardens, licensed beer gardens, cafes and other similar premises would not be affected.

Licence-holders, users of licensed premises, property owners and residents within the proposed designated area are being asked for their views, after North Norfolk District Council’s Cabinet agreed to proceed with the consultation at its meeting on 2 March.

If agreed, the order will apply in the area (roughly) bounded by Highfield Road to the north, Jubilee Avenue, Holt Road and Whitehorse Street to the east, Hempton Road to the south, and Oak Street to the West.

The public consultation runs for 28 days from Thursday, 2 April 2009. Members of the public can see the plans, and a full and detailed map of the proposed designated area, at Fakenham Connect, at NNDC’s head office on Holt Road in Cromer.

The consultation responses will be considered by Cabinet in May. Cabinet will decide whether to grant the order, which would come into effect in June if agreed.

For more information about the Designated Public Place Order call Teri Munro, Community Safety Manager, on 01263 516278.

ENDS