Resident protest puts festivals under threat
MAJOR festivals including one headed by the Lightning Seeds - are under threat as residents complain over what they say is associated noise and crime.
Community group Caring for Compstall has asked Stockport council to take away a licence to hold Events from Whitebottom Farm and a committee will rule on this on May 24.
The private venue, which is next to the scenic Etherow Country Park, hosts four festivals a year, including the Blackthorn Festival, which attracts big name music acts.
Residents say Compstall cannot cope with up to 3,500 people a day, music is obtrusively loud and festival goers use drugs, drink in public, damage property leave litter.
The group says around 100 people agree with their objections but Karl Hancock, from Whitebottom Farm, says this is still a minority and no official bodies have complained.
A spokesman for Caring for Compstall said: “People are upset and at the end of their tether. We are not going to back down.
“The events totally overwhelm the village. Initially a licence was given for a one-off festival and quite a few people objected as we could see where it was going.
“Serious issues that only occur when the festival is on include drug use, alcohol consumption in public, public urination and defecation, used condoms in the childrens’ play area, criminal damage and festival attendees banging on residents doors in the early hours.” and
The Blackthorn Festival, which also has 1990s bands Space and Reef on the bill, is set for July 21 to 23.
Other events include a motorbike festival in May, country music in June and electronic music in August.
Residents say weddings held at the farm also bring noise problems.
Another issue is the venue is accessed by a single track road through Etherow Country Park, which causes congestion and disturbs wildlife and park users.
Karl Hancock, from the farm, said: “It is a small minority.
“Lots of villagers volunteer at the festivals.
“The issues they have are important to them but we have asked numerous times for a meeting to discuss them and they have refused.
“None of the official bodies such as police, public health or child welfare have issues and if there were problems with anti-social behaviour or noise they would.”
A council spokesman said that if the licence was revoked, subject to a 21-day appeal, festival activity would have to cease immediately.