THERE are 21 objections to the application by Platform for Performance for a premises licence for the annual Airfusion event due to be held in Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 21, 22 and 23.
The application goes before Teignbridge Council Licensing Act Sub-committee today. Residents and businesses are objecting on public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety and protection of children from harm, while the district authority's environmental health officer is also making a representation.
There are no objections from the police, fire officer, planning officer or Child Protection Agency. Thousands are attracted to the event and, as a second string to their bow, the organisers reveal on their website that they have also put in an application for the event to be held in the grounds of Forde House, Teignbridge Council's headquarters in Newton Abbot.
Platform's entertainments manager Matt Ward said they had done everything they could for Courtenay Park but had submitted another application for the grounds of Forde House. 'We expect to get Courtenay Park and are looking forward to a very successful event,' he said.
At the end of May residents of the Courtenay Park and Devon Square Neighbourhood Watch Group asked the Local Government Ombudsman to halt the festival. The group maintained the district authority had not properly considered objections and suggestions regarding the event.
It contended Teignbridge was guilty of maladministration and suggested Airfusion be transferred to Forde House. In a survey after last year's event, residents pointed to an increase in teenage anti-social behaviour, excessive noise, drug-related criminal activity, and a serious litter problem.
Platform for Performance is applying to open to the public between 5pm and 11.45pm on the Friday, 10am-11.45pm on the Saturday and 10am-6.15pm on the Sunday. The regulated entertainment would end 15 minutes earlier each day.