Councillors to rule on controversial festival
Noise and waste issues
The fate of the Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival will be decided on Tuesday.
Stirling Council’s planning and regulation committee are to decide whether to grant a temporary public entertainment licence for the event, scheduled to take place from July 13-15 on Cardross Estate at Port of Menteith.
The festival has already booked acts including Scots rockers Big Country and folk act The Levellers for its ninth event.
A raft of acts, from international bands to independent performers, would perform over three stages.
But last year’s event attracted criticism, with some of those living in the area concerned about noise levels and the festival’s late finishing time.
Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl and his Forth and Endrick colleague Alastair Berrill asked for the licence application to be referred to the panel.
Councillor Earl told officials: “Due to the previous issues surrounding amplified noise, disruption to residents, lengthy set-up and take-down periods, reports of untreated human waste being stored and other issues relating to general access, including the need for an officially recognised one-way system to facilitate local traffic, I do feel the opportunity for scrutiny of the arrangements proposed would provide reassurance to local residents.”
Around 3200 people, including management, stewards, entertainers and fans, are expected at the festival, which runs for three days from July 13.
The council’s licensing team and environmental health officials are said to have had regular meetings with festival organisers to work through concerns raised following last year’s event.
In a report for Tuesday’s panel meeting, licensing officials said: “Additional conditions have been placed upon this event in previous years regarding noise levels. It is proposed that these conditions will again be added to the licence if granted.
“After the event the council will organise to have a debrief meeting with Doune the Rabbit Hole in order to discuss the event and any issues which may arise.”
Earlier this year organiser Jamie Murray told the Observer he was confident all issues should be ironed out prior to this summer’s event and said he was looking forward to working with residents on their concerns.