Council panel told alternative site would be festival ‘Plan D’
Let’s Rock the Moor will only move to another site if Mother Nature forces cancellation at its current location, a meeting has heard, writes James Bagley, Local Democracy Reporter.
The festival, held in Marsh Meadow, has been hosting 80s bands and artists to play their greatest hits and raise money for charity since 2009.
However, event organiser UK Live Limited has applied for a licence for the two fields south of Long Lane, but said it is only if it is unable to host the event at the usual spot in Marsh Meadow.
The application includes playing live music until 10:30pm and serving alcohol until 10pm.
A representative from nearby Copas Farm and Cookham councillor Mandy Brar were concerned over the festival’s noise and road safety as festivalgoers will have to travel down the unlit Long Lane, which has no pavement, to enter the event.
This triggered a licensing subcommittee meeting on Friday, May 6, where councillors heard representations before retiring to decide whether to grant the applicant’s licence.
Speaking at the meeting, Edward
Grant, the safety director of Symphotech Ltd, which advises UK Live Limited on safety and licensing, said the fields will only be used as a contingency following last year’s cancellation due to extreme weather conditions.
He told councillors: “It’s a Plan D. We would look to do as much as we can to keep it on-site [Marsh Meadow], but we can’t keep fighting old Father Thames forever.
“So, we just have to accept what nature throws at us, but our ultimate desire is to keep [the festival] where it is because it works there and works for us. It is its spiritual home and to move it would discomfort us greatly.”
Mr Grant also said they have a ‘robust’ noise management plan in place and have employed qualified noise consultants who have authority for the sound to be turned down. They are also developing plans to light up the road and provide a large car park to bring the people in safely should they use the site.
Following the meeting, councillors retired to decide whether or not to grant the requested licence which must be done so within five working days.