Car park pool party would be dangerous – police

A proposed "pool party" in a Birmingham car park has been described as "dangerous" by police.

The Newtown event would feature DJs and a "maximum of 25 ladies" in the temporary pool, the individual behind the plans said.

Police licensing officer Mark Swallow stated he did not feel the site was "in any way suitable at this time" and it "would be dangerous as there are numerous hazards".

The individual behind the application, for 30 Lower Tower Street on 14 June, said he had tried his best "to figure out all the requirements and do everything that's required".

West Midlands Police, which objected to the application, said it had asked the applicant for information to ensure the event was safe and promoted licensing objectives.

"To date adequate responses have not been received," it said.

Mr Swallow told a licensing meeting it would take "a great deal of work to change this into a suitable site" and there was no indication "the applicant has the means or inclination to do that".

Harry Bevington, from Environmental Health, said he was concerned by potential "noise break-out" and up to 450 attendees had been proposed.

Only "ladies will be allowed in the pool for safety reasons" and a changing room would be provided for "safe, private and secure outfit change", a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) said.

Female security would be there to ensure safety, it stated.

The individual behind the TEN application, who attended Wednesday's virtual meeting, said he was keeping certain requested information "for last" as he made sure the site was suitable.

He said the "owner of the place... [has] assured he's cleaning the place - I was there myself yesterday [Tuesday] to see the progress".

A contractor would manage equipment, the applicant said.

The council said no permission was required to carry out a licensable activity temporarily.

An applicant must merely give notice of intentions to operate a licensable activity to the relevant authority.

"However, the police or local authority exercising environmental health functions may intervene to prevent such an event taking place or agree a modification of the proposed arrangements," it said.

Parties will be notified of the licensing sub-committee's decision within five working days.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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