EGGINGTON, UK -- Police are objecting to a licence for a three-day festival likely to attract at least 500 Deaf people from across the United Kingdom because they fear the event will be too noisy.
The England Deaf Party wants The Deaf Foam Festival to take place on July 8-10 at Stockwell Farm, Leighton Road, Eggington, with entertainment running through until 4am. Despite not yet having a licence its website says certain ticket types are sold out or nearly sold out.
Beds Police licensing officer PC Liam Mitchell has told Central Beds Council that the event’s website and social media pages made reference to ‘Live Music, All Night Long’. “This is despite regulated entertainment not being requested on the application,” he said.
“Such music is likely to result in a repeat of the noise nuisance seen by the residents of Eggington during the event in 2014 [The Illusive Fest].”
He pointed out that the Illusive Fest at the same site attacted around 1,500 people, resulted in multiple arrests for drug offences, assault, criminal damage and a serious road traffic collision. Villagers from Eggington also complained of excessive noise.
Pc Mitchell said: “The previous festival at the site in question in 2014 demonstrated the impact on crime, disorder, public safety and nuisance that a well-planned event at this location generated.”
He described the planning for the Deaf Foam Festival as “worrying limited”. He added: “On speaking to the applicant via email, no public safety risk assessments appear to be in place. A review of the organiser’s website, Twitter, and Facebook pages raise further concerns about how the event is being managed...
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