Agenda and minutes

Cllr Nicholas Bennett was appointed Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Application

The application was for a 2-day licence from 12.00hrs to 22.00 hrs on Saturday 31^st August 2024 and 12.00hrs to 21.00hrs on Sunday 1st September 2024. Permission was sought for live music, recorded music, performance of dance and the supply of alcohol. The event would comprise of a main open stage at the one end of the site and an enclosed tented structure for live regulated entertainment provided by a DJ at the opposite end. The applied for capacity was for 9999 people. The event was described as a two-day Soultown Festival.

The event would be aimed at adults aged over 21 years on the Saturday, but on  the Sunday, children and families would be welcome on the basis that an adult would be allowed to accompany no more than two children. The event would be in a fenced area with gates managed by security staff and stewards. There were amendments to the site plan approved for 2023, in that the main stage would be tilted slightly more away from residential properties and the DJ tent would be relocated with the objective of directing audio away from residential properties.

The Case for the Applicant:

The applicant, Ms L Bateman, attended the Sub-Committee meeting with Mr Joe Courtney who advised  that the event would be similar to the preceding two years, but with improvements to reduce any possible disturbance to residents. A complaint hot line would be maintained and residents would be notified of the number by advance publicity. The organisers would accept the conditions imposed on the previous licence last year, including the 4 additional conditions imposed by the Sub-Committee and with the conditions agreed with the police which were additional to that. The headline act on Saturday would end about 21.30 hours with music being provided by the resident DJ until 22.00 hours to encourage an orderly dispersal of patrons. The bars would be closed in rotation from about 21.30 hours until 21.45 hours for the same reasons.

The Case for the Objectors:

Written and oral submissions were made by neighbours. Concerns were raised that the park was too small for the event, that the music was excessively loud and the proposed two days with music over 10 and 9 hours respectively was too long. It was mentioned that preparations for the event started some 5 days before and finished 4 days after the event, which also caused disturbance. A representation was made that some residents felt they had no option but to leave their home during the event and that there should be the possibility, in extenuating circumstances, of financial compensation being paid to such persons.

Reasons for Decision

Members considered the amended application, the written and oral representations, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and statutory guidance. Members concluded that the event would not result in a level of nuisance that would justify refusal of the application, particularly given that it would be a two-day event only. The numbers attending the event would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.