AN online petition has been launched opposing plans to hold a two day concert on Victoria Park, Warrington next year organised by local music promotor Simon Moran’s SJM Ltd.
The Warrington Wolves’ owners company has submitted a seasonal premises licence to Warrington Borough Council for May, June, July, August and September next year – although it is believed the licence specifically relates two a proposed two day concert around the May Bank Holiday.
Local resident Michael Miller has organised an online petition opposing the proposed concert, which has already attracted three figure opposition within 24 hours of going live.
The petition calls for the council to refuse licence applications, now and in the future, granting SJM Limited (or related companies) the ability to stage Regulated events such as open air music concerts with the associated sale of alcohol in Victoria Park.
The current application requests a music/alcohol license for Victoria Park covering 12 hours per day, 7 days a week for 5 months of the year.
Their last one-off event was the launch of V Fest in 1996 which attracted 35000 people and 9000 vehicles. Radiohead also performed at the venue in 2000.
In opposing the appliucation Mr Miller states that many people who live in the area are underprivileged or pensioners who would suffer from the noise, the invasion of cars and the alcohol and drug fuelled antisocial or criminal behaviour.
He says there are also several rest/nursing homes within a short distance from the park.
He added: “We value Victoria Park as a priceless recreational resource that needs to be kept safe and peaceful for pensioners, children, dog walkers and all residents alike.”
One resident posted “No to this, I live in Slater Street and work from home. It will cause more problems. We can’t park on this street most days never mind if something like this happens!!!”
The online petition can be viewed here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-victoria-park-warrington-from-creamfields-style-events
In support of their application SJM Ltd say the relevant authorities will be notified in writing six months prior with exact event dates.
A substantial security presence will be on site during the open periods positioned strategically throughout the site to include a number of response squads.
A search regime will be implemented on entry to the premises searching for prohibited items (weapons or illegal substances) for example we will operate a zero tolerance to drugs and any persons carrying for personal use will be denied entry.
The premises licence will operate a strict challenge 25 policy at all bars.
The premises licence holder will also employ the services of the Police to be present on site.
The premises licence holder will employ the services of the UKs leading acoustic consultants Vanguardia to create a noise management plan and who will provocatively manage noise on site during the event.
SEP who specialise in traffic management, will be employed to put together a robust traffic management plan and will work closely with the Highways department to minimise disruption to the local community.
The event will operate on the basis that anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This will be clearly stated on all tickets and at the point of purchase.
Any child entering with an adult will be offered a wristband and the accompanying adults telephone number written on in case they get separated during the event.
A welfare tent will be situated on site which will also house a dedicated ‘lost children’ staff member.
6 Comments
While I don’t quite see why they are applying for a licence to cover a 5 month period when they are saying it will just be a 2 day event I think it sounds like a great idea especially as we are supposed to be a ‘hopeful’ City of Culture. It will be great for youngsters too as there’s often very little put on for their age in the way of music events etc.
Yes it may be a bit noisy for near by residents but the application also says it will have finished by midnight, unlike Creamfields, and from reading the above it sounds like it will be well managed.
As for parking issues well surely the access to nearby streets can have temporary signs closing access and saying ‘Residents Parking and Access Only…. All Other Vehicles Will Be Towed Away’. Maybe they could have a person in high viz manning the access points to residential street off Knutsford Raod as there’s only about 8 entrances from the main road. Easy !
I wonder if nearby residents will get free tickets if the application is granted. If they do any are going spare from people who are totally against it and don’t want to go I’ll have them 😀
I lived on Slater St at the time of the last big event, V Festival, 1996. The event was well managed, residential areas protected and noise not a major issue. If Warrington is serious in its bid to be city of culture, the Council needs to grant a licence for it to go ahead.
If it is relying on a pop concert for culture God help us all!
Warrington ca not cope with 38k visitors and associated vehicles x2 – it can’t cope with a bump on the motorway or a traffic light being switched on at Cockhedge Asda!
Get real and think of the poor old folk who live in the area who will see their small yards turned into public urinals!
Where does it say that 38k people will attend and why do you think they will all go by car? I don’t get the bit where you say ‘visitors and associated vehicles x2’……are you suggesting that each visitor would somehow be driving 2 cars…
I very much doubt that most who will attend will go by car anyway especially with it being a local event. They can get dropped off, used the bus, taxi or just walk from the town centre or wherever.
For those who may come from further afield well they could be told to park in the town centre car parks or maybe the organisers could put a ‘park and ride’ system in place.
I’m sure it will all be fine and very well managed and people will have a great time 😀
What right does a small handful of nearby moaner residents have to try and block a concert that others who live near too might want and people from the whole of Warrington might want. NIMBY strikes again !
Can the moaners not just put ear plugs in until midnight for a few nights and let others enjoy themselves ?
Is there another petition that people in favour of it can sign? If not maybe we should start one.
LIGHTENUP I am a local resident and I am not against well managed use of the park, but I do not understand why the licence has to be for 7 days a week for 12 hours a day for 5 months. There has to be some consideration for the locals, so yes, we have rights like everyone else to be allowed to live in our houses without excessive noise pollution. Lots of young kids live near the park, how do you put ear plugs in a six month old baby.
Why not restrict it to a set number of events a year, and an agreed limit on the noise levels and number of visitors allowed per venue?
It might be NIMBY in your eyes,(while your attitude is more sod other people if it benefits me btw) but the local residents should have a voice. Victoria Park is not massive, so we need this to be considered carefully. I think the application needs to be a lot more specific and all affects considered, such as locals, traffic, management, litter and potential damage to the park.
Why not have concerts at the Warrington Wolves Stadium?? got a ready made venue….