GLADE festival organisers have run out of time to prepare this year’s event after the application was returned on technical grounds.
Organisers of the Wasing-based dance music festival said they were “disappointed and frustrated” at the decision by West Berkshire Council’s licensing chiefs to strike out the application on a technicality, as reported in last week’s Newbury Weekly News.
Festival team spokesman Luke Piper said: “A new application would mean another two months before a decision is made by the licensing committee.
“This would not leave the organisers sufficient time to prepare the event, especially with the new measures planned for noise control or to confirm acts to play at the event.”
To go ahead under such circumstances would “seriously risk the viability” of Glade, said Mr Piper.
Council licensing officer Brian Leahy said last week: “The regulations weren’t met – and the requirements are absolute.
“It was sent back on a point of law and not because of collusion between the responsible authorities and any outside parties.”
He said organisers were welcome to submit a fresh application.
But Mr Piper said: “The 400-page event management plan was the most comprehensive yet and the event has been put together with some of the top people and consultants in the country in the area of event management, noise and safety.
“It has been five months’ work preparing and planning the application with public meetings and consultation – but it was considered, six weeks after application, that the format of the application did not conform to the new licensing regulations.”
He added: “It does come as a surprise, as the authorities have generally been supportive in the past and we felt that any objections that had been made were being addressed.
“A lot of people had expressed their views and opinions and an agenda was sent out for a hearing at the council chambers. Two of the parish councils had not objected in principal and we have set up local planning committees to liaise more closely with local residents.”
The annual event turns over £1.5 million and generates grants to local village projects and charities worth up to £30,000 but some local residents oppose it due to noise nuisance claims.
