New Shropshire music festival gets go-ahead after deal on noise
A new Shropshire music festival has been given the go-ahead after objections over noise were withdrawn.
Up to 1,500 music fans are expected to travel to Hopton Court Estate, near Cleobury Mortimer, as Audio Farm Festival hosts its first event in the county.
Tickets had already begun to sell out when the event was cast into doubt by an objection from Shropshire Council's environmental health team.
Because of the objection, the licence application was due to be decided at a meeting this week.
A report that was set to go to the committee stipulated that outdoor music should stop at 11pm, with indoor music stopping at midnight.
It said a background noise survey should be carried out and a noise management plan put in place.
The report added: "The applicant has not agreed to Environmental Health’s requested conditions. Environmental Health does not wish to remove or amend any of their representation."
But Shropshire Council today revealed an agreement had been reached at the last minute.
A spokesman said: "The Licensing Act Sub-Committee meeting of March 26, 2018 was cancelled as the applicant for the licence on the agenda has agreed conditions with Shropshire Council’s environmental health team. These address the team's concerns, and they have therefore withdrawn their objections, so the hearing is no longer needed."
It means the festival can go ahead as planned from August 30 to September 2, and coaches are expected to bring revellers from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and North Wales.
Audio Farm Festival is a family-friendly, non-profit event, with a children's area and 'healing space' among the other activities planned alongside four music stages.
Hopton Court, in Hopton Wafers, is already a popular events venue and has two festival sites which can hold up to 4,999 people each.
Shropshire councillor Madge Shineton, who represents Cleobury Mortimer, said: "Hopton Court has in the past held very successful music festivals that have caused no trouble at all.
"Hopton Court is very experienced in these events. There is no reason for the festival not to be held, providing it is done under proper control."
