The Church of Scientology has submitted a lengthy, 43 page attack in response to an application to review the Premises Licence at their UK headquarters after a series of major events they hosted created “chaos” in the local town.
Saint Hill, located near East Grinstead, Sussex, is home to the annual gathering of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) – a lavish three-day event hosted by reclusive leader David Miscavige. Parishioners flock from across the world to attend the event in person, which is widely publicised by the church as their “greatest gathering.”
After locals complained about the disruption and chaos it brings to the otherwise quiet countryside town, an application was submitted to Mid-Sussex District Council to review their Premises Licence – which allows them to host large events. Although the IAS event is primarily a fundraising activity and involves no element of religious worship, Scientology argues the event is exempt from licensing laws due to it being a “religious gathering”, and proceeded to produce a 43-page report attacking ex-Scientologist Alex Barnes-Ross, who leads a protest outside the event.
The response alleges the application to review their licence is motivated by animosity towards the church and forms part of a campaign of “harassment” based on misinformation, despite Scientology being widely reported as responsible for continued ‘Fair Game’ attacks against critics. Concerns raised about visa violations, public safety and public nuisance are either flat out denied or claimed to have been resolved, in contradiction to emergency measures implemented by the local authority – such as a temporary speed limit reduction put in place over the event weekend in order to protect pedestrians, who were forced to walk in the road due to obstructions placed by the church along the highway.
The application is set to be reviewed by the Council at a hearing on Tuesday 3rd February. Here is the document in its entirety.
