AIRFUSION could be rocking on in the future, not in Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, but a quarter-of-a-mile away in the grounds of Old Forde House, which an objector said would turn it into 'Fortress Forde', writes JOHN BALMENT. Platform for Performance won permission from Teignbridge Council Licensing Act Sub-committee, on Monday, for a premises licence for the three-day music festival to be held annually during the penultimate weekend in July. It can operate from 5pm-11.30pm on the Friday, 10am-11.30pm on the Saturday and 10am-6pm on the Sunday. There were two conditions – no noise between 9pm and 7.30am during rigging and de-rigging, and that a second skin of fencing is erected surrounding Old Forde House. It also holds similar permission for Courtenay Park and later this month at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court, the Courtenay Park and Devon Square Neighbourhood Watch Group is appealing against the premises licence there at a preliminary hearing. Platform for Performance still require permission to stage Airfusion at either venue, both of which are district authority owned. There were strong objections to Old Forde House from Michael Martin for the Newton Abbot Civic Society, who said that not only were such activities unwanted by residents or police at the time, or by the taxpayer after, but they presented an unacceptable threat to a medieval historic building and its environs. Mr Martin emphasised that they were not opposed to charitable and other events being held in such historic settings and welcomed the use of Forde House for weddings and the grounds for traditional fetes. The society believed performances of Shakespeare would be perfect and 'not an entertainment that turns it into Fortress Forde'. 'What we cannot accept is that the grounds are suitable for an event that when held previously has involved its organisers paying for cover by 15 police officers aided by eight special constables and a community support officer. But it has still seen arrests in the immediate area for public order offences, theft, possession of drugs and drunk and disorderly behaviour, and police enquiries in respect of serious assault,' he said. Objector Colin Moore said it could not be disputed that the event generated a great deal of anti-social behavior ranging from petty vandalism, drunkenness and drug taking to more serious crimes and most of it occurring outside its perimeter. 'I can predict with some confidence that if this event is held in the Forde House grounds that given certain conditions – weather and a lack of uniformed police patrols being the most important – that this type of anti-social and criminal behaviour will take place in what I would describe as "gathering zones". 'That is areas where the youngsters fuel themselves up with drugs and alcohol before entering or during or after the event,' he said predicting the zones would be the Sainsburys/McDonalds complex, the centre of Forde Park and its north east corner and the path alongside the Aller Brook. Mr Moore also pointed out that a district authority review group had concluded that it would be unsuitable to recommend holding the event in the Forde House grounds, as the integrity of a Grade I Listed Building would be jeopardised, as would the security of the council offices. Ian Woolway, the chairman of the Platform for Performance trustees, said over the years they had learned a lot from running the event and had seen it through many changes. 'It is no secret that Courtenay Park is our number one location, but we did say we would look at other locations and Old Forde House was put forward. 'We put our fencing up in the beginning as a security measure and we would want the same for the listed building. 'The last thing we would want is to see a listed building, or any building for that matter, damaged,' he said. Mr Woolway said a double-skin two-metre security fence would be erected around Old Forde House and the only people with access would be security, crew members and the police. The fencing would run along the front of the house and 20 feet away there would be another fence. 'We would put the fencing up, not to make a fortress, but for security and the safety of the public,' he said. Martin Arliss, a trustee who is also in charge of security, said they would work with the police and there would be regular patrols. As regards any incidents, they would not have jurisdiction outside the Forde House areas. That would be for the police. Supporting Airfusion on behalf of Newton Abbot Town Council, the mayor, Cllr Daphne Watts, said the event was no different to a normal weekend in the town. 'Living in the centre of the town it is the same police presence. 'Any bottles taken in are always tested and the contents thrown away if there is anything in them other than water,' she said. The police offered no objection. The civic society also maintained that the application was not advertised correctly in accordance with the criteria laid down by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, but the sub-committee considered it was validly made and accepted. On Wednesday, Mr Arliss said that Airfusion would continue next year and it was only the venue that would have to be decided. 'We have not made a definite decision, but the grounds of Old Forde House is probably preferred by the trustees. 'One of the reasons we are going to the appeal is that there is a possibility we might go to Courtenay Park. 'We feel it is not only about Airfusion but there might be other events that we might want to hold in Courtenay Park in the future. 'Lots of other events are held there including band concerts, fetes and the start of the carnival. 'We know residents were out with decibel meters for two brass band concerts recently. What we want to point out is that the park is a town park for the people of the town,' said Mr Arliss.
