Совет района разрешил проведение фестиваля психоделик-транса в Котсуолдс несмотря на опасения жителей

A psytrance music festival in the Cotswold countryside has been given the go-ahead despite concerns over noise, traffic, public nuisance and fears it will affect a nearby wedding. More than 70 people objected to the plans for the Existance Festival to go ahead near Tetbury from September 3 to 6. The event, which is expected to attract 1,500 festival-goers, was due to go ahead in June this year at Boldridge Farm in Crudwell Lane, Long Newnton, but was postponed. Cotswold District Council considered the new premises licence application at its licensing sub-committee meeting on August 19. Wilde Dancing Ltd’s proposals include playing live and recorded music and films until 2am on three of the nights as well as providing late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol. Concerns were raised ahead of the meeting over the impact the festival could have on a wedding on September 5 at the nearby Holy Trinity Church and the reception with dinner at an open-sided marquee in the garden of Ashley Manor. “This event has been planned for 18 months with significant time, effort and funds already committed to a wedding that brings together family, friends and community using only locally sourced food, flowers, staff and infrastructure,” A Lodwick said in their objection. “We were very distressed to find the festival organisers immediately posted the new September dates after cancelling the June festival date, with no outreach or consultation with our community.” However, the meeting heard how the organisers have employed professionals to develop a sound management plan in place to minimise noise disturbance during the festival. They explained how they would respond to complaints and lower the levels if needed to comply with World Health Organization noise level recommendations. They also said they are willing to “go above and beyond” and close one of the stages at the time of the wedding speeches. Solicitor Rebecca Lowe said: “My client and I absolutely understand the anxiety around this. Every couple wants to ensure their wedding day is absolutely perfect.” She went on to say the event does not risk causing issues to the wedding as the venue is around a mile away from the church and the location of the reception. “My client has engaged with the family who are holding the wedding on this date and is aware they are particularly concerned around the time of the speeches,” she added. The meeting also heard how the community borehole would not be used and no water would be drawn from it for the event. Instead, organisers have arranged for tankers to bring in tens of thousands of litres of water each day. Di Thomas, chair of Long Newnton Parish Council, was among the several public speakers who raised concerns over the festival. She said the application was submitted less than three months before the event which is contrary to the district council’s guidance. Cllr Thomas also raised concerns over public safety and the amount of water planned for the event and said such a camping festival “would need between 100,000 and 130,000 litres”. “I would suggest you actually dictate how much water is provided,” she said. And she raised concerns about fire safety at the festival given the recent severe alert issued by the Government, which has warned about the heightened risk of wildfires across the nation. “We have already had a field fire in that location with four fire engines in attendance,” she said. “And I have taken the time to speak to one of the fire crew who was in attendance who has expressed a number of concerns.” She said one of the concerns is that there is no emergency access to the north of the site. Councillor Nikki Ind (I, Tetbury East and Rural) also spoke against the plans and raised serious concerns about road safety and the narrow lane to access the site. She said Crudwell Lane is not able to support the extra traffic generated by the event and the lane is used by farm vehicles, HGVs, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. “It’s a busy little lane,” she said. “It has been subject to extensive traffic.” She also questioned whether emergency vehicles could get to the site. In response to the public speakers, Ms Lowe echoed the officer’s comments that it is recommended that applications are submitted within the time frame suggested by the council but it is not a requirement. She also said council officers are happy that the water plan for the event is sufficient. Organisers understand why fire safety is a concern, she said, but her client has employed a professional team which has set out safety plans for the event. “There are going to be multiple attendees of the event, staff, security, stewards patrolling the site at all times,” she added. After deliberating for around an hour, the committee decided to grant the premises licence with conditions.