People living in one part of Merseyside are livid after a controversial festival was given the go-ahead by Sefton Council .
L37 Fest is set to take place in woods not far from the Formby Bypass this July, with S Club 3 and Bongo's Bingo already announced for the lineup.
Motorbike rider injured after serious Mersey Gateway crash
It is due to take place from July 12-14, on land in Orrell Hill Woods.
But residents from Formby , Hightown and Ince Blundell turned up to protest the event, at a licensing committee meeting held at Bootle Town Hall this morning.
Local parish councils also objected to the licence application.
Remembering the 96: City of Liverpool to hold special 30th anniversary Hillsborough event
There were concerns about congestion, risk of 'vehicular collision', noise and nuisance, detriment to local businesses and public safety.
Chris Knight from L37 Fest says the group has carefully selected the size and style of event in order to minimise risk of crime and disorder, and has worked with a safety advisor to ensure the rest can run year on year in a safe way
He said: “No amplified music will be played after 11pm, when people leave the festival site.
Who is dumping adult nappies in the streets and hanging them from trees?
"We are looking to continue engagement to ensure safety management is in place.”
He went on to say the group has constructed an alcohol policy, drugs policy, safety management plan, risk assessment and so on, and that these will run continually until and during the event.
He added: "We welcome concerns, and we have discussed some of them with residents themselves.
"We have put a lot of effort into organising this event, which will be of benefit to many members of the local community. We do accept there are challenges but we are looking to engage everybody in that process”
Bid to trace this man after Shell garage held up at GUNPOINT
Formby Labour councillor Catie Page spoke at the licensing meeting, in reference to the Bongo's Bingo event, set to take place on the Friday night.
She read out a Facebook review of a previous Bongo's (which took place in Leeds), which said: "One minute you're raving, then you're calling random strangers d***heads. Then you're playing bingo to win anything from a dildo to £650."
She then said: "I don't feel residents have been consulted about this properly and, if nothing else, I would like it to finish much earlier than 11pm."
The review, of which a printed copy was later circulated between members of the public, went on to say: "You know Richard Branson? Cos you must be a f**king virgin. Sit the f**k down, d***head!' Mental is what the night is and I swear down I felt like going for the morning after pill on Sunday just to be safe." [sic]
Cllr Bob McCann, speaking on behalf of Formby Parish Council, also slammed the decision to have Bongo's Bingo at the event.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah posts adorable rare snap of himself, wife and daughter
However Mr Knight, who was formerly on the organising committee for the Formby Festival, said: "I was responsible for bringing Bongo's to Formby Festival last year, and you had no problem with it then."
Kevin Sharp, chair of Ince Blundell Parish Council, said the festival would "fundamentally change residents' lives"
One woman in the audience compared the festival to Glastonbury , despite this event only lasting for three days, with a maximum capacity of 4,999 people, while Glastonbury is a five-day festival, attended by some 175,000 people.
One Hightown resident said: “There’ll be loads of boozy people bussed into our small village at 11 o clock at night. The station has no facilities. I have had to stop people urinating in my drive before now.”
Phillip Schofield horrified after everyone falls for Chris Moyles' April Fool prank
Merseyside Police imposed a number of conditions on the licence, including:
- Challenge 25 policy for the service of alcohol
- Persons under 16 cannot enter without an adult
- Drinks cannot be sold in glass containers
- A required (to be agreed) number of SIA registered security staff
On revealing the decision for the festival to be given a premises licence, Sefton Council's lawyer Fiona Townsend said: "[We] sympathise with residents’ objections but [we] have seen no evidence of any of their concerns, and cannot refuse an application in the absence of any evidence."
“Should any concerns come to fruition, relevant parties can call for a review”
A number of people shouted "Shame!" as they left the room.
L37 Fest now has permission to take place over a three-day period on an annual basis.
Sneaky thief steals hospice charity box after distracting boy in shop
The sale of alcohol and provision of all live music must cease by 10.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 10pm on the Sunday.
All members of the public must leave the site by 11pm Friday and Saturday, and 10.30pm on the Sunday.
The L37 group say they are 'very pleased' with today's outcome and are excited to reveal the full lineup over the coming weeks.
Tickets are expected to go on sale next week.
