Troubled manor house at the centre of an attempted murder has licence revoked

Three Rivers District Council’s licensing sub-committee has cancelled the licence at High Elms Manor in High Elms Lane with immediate effect.

The sub-committee's decision follows "compelling" evidence presented by Hertfordshire Constabulary as well as concerns about the premises expressed by ward councillors and local residents.

A man was shot and two others were injured after a fight broke out between a large group of people at the manor on June 12.

READ MORE: Gunshots as screaming people ran to their cars.

Hundreds of people had been attending Summer Splash - a party organised by events company Link Up TV.

The sub-committee heard that the designated premises supervisor Mrs Sheila O’Neill had not even met with organisers before the event, and had allowed an offensive weapon and drugs on site.

More than 50 police officers attended the incident in High Elms Lane on June 12. 

Councillors Sarah Neimes, Heather Kenison and Eric Bishop heard the manor house had failed to take any action to several warning letters received from the council since 2012.

In their decision notice, they said they did not accept the incident was a one-off and management should have stepped in when they realised the party was getting out of control.

They also said the control and checks before to event were “wholly inadequate”.

The decision notice, which was sent to neighbouring residents this week, said: “Whilst the management of High Elms Manor may have been misled, naïve or, at worse, complicit in their risk assessment of the LinkedUp TV’s booking, an effective DPS management would be expected to deal with any possible events in the course of their business.

“No such effective action occurred and effective management to deal with any licensed event or otherwise that might get out of hand was non-existent.

“Given failure to respond to warning letters and, most importantly, to comply with the Premises Licence Conditions, and whilst having very serious regard to the potential detrimental financial impact on the premises, the sub-committee considered tough action was needed.”

There added that there was no evidence to show the manor wasn’t exceeding the 40 events they are allowed to hold a year, which include weddings, birthdays and funerals.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst who represents Leavesden said: "Given the level of complaints from residents, the police and licensing officer I am not surprised at he Panels decision.

"Rightly when the licence was granted strict conditions were imposed to protect neighbouring residents from harm and the conditions have been breached it seen on a number of occasions not just recently.

"It is always sad when something like this occurs and I hope the owners can seek an alternative non-nuisance use here."

The manor, who also run a Montessori school on the site, said Mrs O’Neill had been unwell for some time and she should have been removed long before the incident.

The current managers asked for a months’ notice to implement changes. It has 21 days to appeal the decision.

Link Up TV is still making videos.