Agenda item

To determine the application for a new premises licence on land within the grounds and owned by Belvoir Castle, known as Knipton pastures & Frog Hollow, Belvoir Castle grounds, Belvoir NG32 1PE for the Forbidden Forest Festival in accordance with the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.

Prior to the introduction of the report, it was determined that all parties would be given a maximum of 10 minutes to speak.

 

The Licensing and Compliance Officer outlined the application, which was for a permanent license for a four-day camping event each year. In outlining the application, the Licensing and Compliance Officer reminded the Sub-committee of the representations that had been received.

 

During questioning the Licensing and Compliance Officer was asked how many complaints were received during the 2022 event. In response it was explained that there were three in total and that they were of a minor nature, however it was noted that some communities were not aware that complaints had to be submitted to the Local Authority and that a lot of complaints were directed to the organisers of the festival.

 

Following a question regarding drug paraphernalia, it was explained that a significant quantity of drug paraphernalia was found in the village of Denton and that there were a few incidents of drug related seizures at the festival, however it was explained that is not uncommon with festivals of that size.

 

When asked whether the Licensing Authority would consult neighbouring Licensing Authorities regarding events that may affect their area, Members were informed that the Licensing Authority would not normally consult with other Licensing Authorities but the application was advertised in both the Melton Times and Grantham Journal.

 

In summarising, the Licensing and Compliance Officer stated that the event in 2022 was well run and the documentation was provided to the Licensing Authority in sufficient time. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the event is run with minimal impact upon the community.

 

The applicant’s legal representative, Ms Tulloch, outlined the application to Members and explained that it is the same application as the previous one with the exception that the application that is sought is permanent. Ms Tulloch explained that the applicant is seeking for Members to agree to the principle of hosting the event each year and agree that other issues are then dealt with under the management plans.

 

Ms Tulloch continued by stated that the Police and Environmental Health are satisfied with the application. Residents have been notified that the application is to be submitted. Contractors have been informed not to use Denton as an access route to the site. In addition, the sound element has been reviewed to ensure minimal disruption to neighbouring communities.

 

In response to a question on refreshments, it was confirmed that there will be teas, coffees and bacon butties provided during the period of 11pm to 5pm. In relation to underage alcohol consumption, it was confirmed that security check ID when patrons enter the site to ensure no-one is underage, also bars have been instructed to challenge any patron who looks 25 years of age or under to ensure they are not underage.

 

Following a question regarding sound management and concert closing time, Members were informed that noise consultants work alongside Environmental Health to ensure there is minimal disruption for neighbouring communities. In relation to concerts, there are stage managers who are responsible to ensure that concerts are finished at the correct time.

 

In response to a question about the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), it was confirmed that Lincolnshire Highways Authority and Lincolnshire Police are sent the information and are invited to any SAGs for those events that are held close to the Lincolnshire border such as this one.

 

After a question on the debrief meeting, it was confirmed that the traffic management plan would be reviewed to establish what worked and what did not work. The routes and timings would be changed accordingly. It was acknowledged that the event was well run but that how the event would be run in the future would evolve. In addition, there was a commitment to put signage out for patrons to follow to access the site, however it was noted that the applicant cannot prevent patrons from using their own routes.

 

Following a query on the possible routes from the south, the applicant informed Members that he is committed to work with the Highways Authority in order to identify the best route, although reiterated that he can’t prevent patrons from using their own routes or following their own satellite navigation devices.

 

In response to a query on routes to and from the site, it was confirmed that the applicant intends to host the event at Belvoir for a number of years and would assess what are the best routes to and from the site. The applicant would reroute or adjust delivery times of suppliers and ask those suppliers to adhere to weight limits in place.

 

With regard to littering by patrons, the applicant now has the knowledge of how patrons exit the festival and would have larger litter picking teams in future years.

 

The applicant reassured Members that there would be an overlap of entertainment to ensure patrons do not start to make their own entertainment and cause disruption.

 

Mr Pape, resident of Denton, then addressed the Sub-Committee. He explained he was concerned because Denton was not included in the previous consultation but explained that could be the reason for the issues the village had been experiencing.

 

Mr Pape explained that it was difficult to see how there would be a southern route to the site without going through Denton. He added that he suspected that returning patrons would use the routes they knew instead of the advertised routes.

 

He also feared that the applicant would use the same plan with minor amendments and stated that he would like vehicles to be banned from travelling through Denton to the site.

 

Mr Pape asked whether the sound systems could face westwards away from Denton where the sound would be absorbed by the steeper land and the wood. This opposed to facing eastwards towards Denton and Woolsthorpe where the sound travels because of the sloping terrain and little woodland.

 

In delivering their representation, Denton Parish Council stated that they support what Mr Pape had said and had nothing further to add.

 

In a closing statement the Applicant’s Legal Representative, Ms Tulloch reminded those present that the 2022 event had been seen as a great success and that no one had asked for the application to be refused and that instead there was a plea for greater consultation. Ms Tulloch stated that any condition that compels patrons to use particular routes would mean that the applicant would be in breach as soon as a patron erroneously drives via a different route.

 

At 11:38am, the meeting was adjourned to allow the Sub-Committee to consider their decision.

 

At 12:43pm, the meeting was reconvened.

 

RESOLVED

 

The Licensing Sub-Committee decided to grant the application subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)              the traffic management plan should include the provision for earlier warning signage of the recommended route where possible;

 

(ii)             the premises licence holder shall commence engagement with the Safety Advisory Group  (the SAG to include representation from Lincolnshire and Leicestershire Highways Authority and Police) no later than 6 months before the date of the festival and continue to engage in the lead up to the event in order to ensure that any concerns raised can be addressed at an early stage and reflected in the event safety management plan, transport management plan and any other plan required to be submitted;

 

(iii)           the premises licence holder shall continue to engage with neighbouring Parish Councils (including those outside of Melton Borough) in the run up to the date of the event in order to ensure that any concerns raised can be addressed at an early stage and reflected in the event safety management plan, transport management plans and any other plan required to be submitted; and

 

(iv)           the premises licence holder shall use reasonable endeavours to direct the speaker orientations away from nearby villages such details to be recorded in the Noise Management Plan.