Cross-party talks to take place to address Creamfields noise issues

THE perennial issue of balancing noise from Creamfields dance festival against the disruption it causes residents was thrashed out by councillors last night.

Cllr Sharon Harris told colleagues at the full meeting of Warrington Borough Council: “Another year of Creamfields has come and gone. Once again, residents in many areas of Warrington have complained bitterly about the noise.”
She clarified that: “I don’t want to be a party pooper and many residents look forward to it every year.”

But the full council at the Parr Hall heard that the festival in Daresbury, which neighbouring Halton Council licenses, has “grown exponentially.”
Creamfields, Cllr Harris explained, began life in 2006 as a one-night event with 25,000 people. Now around 70,000 people attend over four nights.
“Residents see their freedom and movement severely impeded.” She said when she lived nearby she would always ensure there was enough food in the house so they didn’t have to go out and “bear the brunt of festival goers on country roads.”
Speaking about residents who found illicit drugs hidden in hedgerows outside the site, she added there were 32 arrests this year.
She praised the efforts of police and festival organisers to crack down on illegal activities.
The noise issue changed yearly with theories about the weather and wind direction impacting it.
She expressed irritation that the festival ended at 4am on Sunday this year with “little input” from organisers.

Cllr Tony Higgins described it as “one of the biggest music events in the county.”
His colleague, Cllr Denis Matthews, said there had to be a balance between the disruption and the economic impact. And he said he’d had a resident’s noise complaint at 7am on the Monday morning of Creamfields in August.
The motion expressed sympathy to all the residents impacted by the “noise emitted” by the festival on August bank holiday weekend.
It acknowledges the economic and enjoyment the festival brings.
It resolved to hold cross-party discussions with officers and councillors at Warrington and Halton councils to plan and licence future festivals.
Councillors also offered support over noise levels by working with the neighbouring authority on overnight festivals.
The motion was supported by the full council.