A community events team is looking to host a three-day festival in a North London park to celebrate the “rich arts and cultures” of Gujarat in India.
The plans include a stage to showcase comedy, dance, and music performances, as well as food and art stalls, but some local residents fear the noise will ‘force them to leave their homes’ during the festivities.
Red Lotus Events has applied for a licence to put on the Rangeelu Gujarat festival in Roe Green Park from Friday September 5 to Sunday September 7.
It would be the second time the Community Interest Company (CIC) – a company designed for social enterprises that benefit the community – has hosted the event in the park, having also done so in 2023.
The organisers have said the event, which could see up to 4,000 attendees on any given day, would showcase a variety of artists from across Gujarat and “celebrate the region’s vibrant traditions and creative heritage”.
However, nearby residents have complained that the park is “not suitable” for a festival of this size as it is too near residential homes and had to “put up with three days of unacceptable noise” last time it took place.
Red Lotus Events have applied to Brent Council for a three-day event licence to host the same festival as the one in 2023, which the organisers claimed was delivered “professionally, safely and without any breaches of licensing conditions or significant complaints”. The festivities would run from 11am to 10pm on the Friday and Saturday, and until 6pm on the Sunday.
Brent is home to the largest Gujarati community in London, with many members also living in the neighbouring borough Harrow. The organisers describe the festival as an “immersive celebration of Gujarat’s rich culture, combining tradition with vibrant modern-day experiences”.
There would be a range of stalls, including art and handicrafts representing the different regions, as well as food and refreshment stalls that mimic “the authentic taste of the various cultures of the state” – featuring vegetarian food from local businesses, with no alcohol provided. A stage will host music, dance and comedy performers
Tickets are set to cost £8, with between 3,000 and 4,000 attendees expected on the site at any given time. Red Lotus are “confident that the event will proceed smoothly without any concerns regarding antisocial behaviour.”
However, some locals are not so confident, with concerns being raised about potential issues with littering, security, and the general noise disturbances. They claim the part of the park selected is too close to residential properties and want the licence to be refused.
In a formal objection submitted against the application, one resident claimed to have experienced “unacceptable noise levels, obstruction of public highways, rowdy behaviour, and littering” during previous events, which had “forced me and my neighbours to leave our homes for the duration of those celebrations”.
They added: “The noise levels and general disturbance from traffic and crowds to residents particularly myself and others in is not acceptable and could easily be minimised if a different part of Row Green Park had been selected. […] I have no reason to doubt the good intentions of the applicants but there must be serious doubts as to their ability to run this event satisfactorily.”
Another felt the noise levels at the 2023 event were “not controlled” and residents had to “endure three days of unacceptable noise”. They claimed that they could still hear the music in their homes “even with the double glazed windows closed”.
The resident added: “An event of this scale is not suitable in a small park like Roe Green Park, which is too near a residential area. […] Eleven hours for three days with a noise level which is not controlled, is not acceptable.”
In response, the organisers said they have “always ensured that noise levels remain within acceptable limits”, with the stage positioned “as far [away] as possible” from homes and sound levels are “continuously monitored” during events. They will agree to a “strict maximum decibel level” with the council and will lower the volume “immediately if required”.
They also said the waste management “is robust”, claiming residents commented on “how spotless the park was” after the previous festival. The event will also be managed by a minimum of 20 trained security staff at all times to ensure public safety.
Red Lotus added: “We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure this festival remains respectful of our local community while creating positive opportunities for families, artists and young people. […] We remain fully open to discussion with the council about our site plan, should an alternative location within Roe Green Park be preferable.
“We would also like to extend an open invitation to all local residents to join us on the opening day, free of charge, to experience first-hand the spirit of this festival: a peaceful celebration of culture, storytelling, children’s crafts, and intergenerational community exchange.”
One resident said they were “not reassured” by the applicant’s response. The licence will be reviewed by Brent Council’s Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee at a meeting next week (August 19).
