A Premises Licence Application Sparks Controversy in the Cotswolds
The idyllic backdrop of the Cotswolds could soon be transformed by a proposed event that has ignited debate among local residents. A premises licence application is set to be debated by Wiltshire Council next month for an ambitious 5,000-person music festival at Cotswold Airport in Kemble. Scheduled to run from June 26 to 28, the Runway Festival aims to feature camping and an array of musical performances, primarily electronic music. However, the proposal has raised a host of concerns from nearby communities, particularly Kemble and Rodmarton.
Community Concerns on Noise Pollution
The potential impact on local residents has been front and center in the discussions about the festival. Cotswold district councillor Mike McKeown has voiced serious concerns about how the event might affect the quality of life for people living in the surrounding villages. His apprehensions specifically highlight noise issues—especially low-frequency bass from the electronic music—which can travel great distances, leading to sleep disturbance during nighttime hours.
“The residents are understandably quite concerned about the noise impact of it,” McKeown remarked, adding that the open, elevated location of Cotswold Airport might amplify sound issues.
The Distinction of Music Hours
One striking aspect of the festival’s application is the proposed operational hours for music. While the main stage is scheduled to wrap up by 11 PM, other live and recorded music activities are permitted to continue until 4 AM. Cllr McKeown’s representation letter emphasized the significance of this distinction, noting that the continuation of amplified music through the night poses a considerable risk for disturbing residents.
“Low-frequency sound can travel considerable distances and may be perceived indoors as rhythmic bass even where higher frequencies are not clearly audible,” he explained, underscoring concerns regarding the festival’s potential to disrupt nighttime peace.
Local Leadership Voice Concerns
George Collins, the chairman of Kemble and Ewen Parish Council, has echoed these worries. He described the decision to allow music until the early hours of the morning as “totally unreasonable.” While the parish council recognizes the importance of Cotswold Airport as a commercially viable entity, they have questioned whether this particular application has been adequately considered.
“The festival appears ill thought through and distinctly shoddy,” Collins stated sharply. He noted that the event organizers have not provided a comprehensive noise management scheme or a traffic management plan, which he believes are essential for mitigating the impact on local residents.
Community Support for Commercial Activities
Despite the apprehensions, there is an acknowledgment among some community members that Cotswold Airport plays a vital role in the area’s economy and development. The airport needs to stay commercially viable, and some argue that events like the Runway Festival could contribute positively to the local landscape. However, many residents maintain that the terms of this specific application must be carefully evaluated and restructured to avoid turning community life upside down.
Call for Responsible Event Planning
Community leaders are calling for enforceable conditions to regulate noise and traffic associated with such a large-scale event. The lack of detailed planning raises red flags, with concerns that residents may simply be expected to endure the festival’s disruption without any significant relief or consideration.
Cllr McKeown has emphasized that detailed and enforceable conditions will be crucial if the festival is to proceed. “Otherwise, residents’ lives will be made a misery,” he warned.
Moving Forward with Considerations
As the clock ticks down to the Wiltshire Council’s decision on April 1, local residents remain on edge, anxious about the implications this major summer event could have on their lives. They are hoping that their voices will be heard and that the council will take into account the practical realities of living in close proximity to a large festival.
The examination of this application is shaping up to be a critical juncture for the Cotswolds, balancing the pursuit of vibrant community events with the quietude that residents cherish. The outcome may set a precedent for how future events are managed in this beautiful yet rural region.
