Concerns farm park could become 'mini-Glastonbury'

More than 80 people submitted objections to Monk Park Farm's application for an alcohol licence

​Villagers and holiday lodge owners have warned that a visitor attraction could become a "mini-Glastonbury Festival" if a new premises licence is approved.

More than 80 people have submitted objections to Monk Park Farm's application, which would allow alcohol to be served between 10:00 and 22:00.

A local resident said they were "upset and concerned" by the plans, describing the area as "James Herriot country, not Glastonbury".

Owner York Forty-Four Ltd said the intention was not to hold large-scale music festivals but to enhance the visitor experience through "safe, family and community-focused events".

If successful, the licence would cover the full 84-acre site near Thirsk.

The application stated that the owners intended to host entertainment and licensed activities in different areas of the site, depending on the weather and type of event.

Customers should be able to walk freely around the full site with alcoholic beverages to ensure a "relaxed and enjoyable experience", it added.

'Increasingly standard for farm parks'

York Forty-Four Ltd has already agreed to reduce the request for a year-long licence to 250 days, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A company spokesperson said it took the concerns relating to the plans seriously, and acknowledged the "broad scope of the initial application may have caused unease".

A joint objection from 37 holiday home owners and occupiers in the area was submitted, including from sites owned by the applicant.

It stated that if the application was granted, the noise "would shatter the enjoyment we take from our holiday homes".

Another objection described the proposal as a "far cry from a children's petting farm".

"This seems to describe a mini-Glastonbury - all-day drinking and all-day music and dancing," they said.

A local resident said they had already been "subject to excessive noise from the park throughout the summer months".

"Monk Park is supposed to be a petting park for children, not to be turned into a concert venue for older people to imbibe alcohol and run riot over the land."

York Forty-Four Ltd said it always operated "responsibly and transparently", and had a long record of cooperation with local authorities, residents and other businesses.

"It is also worth noting that similar family attractions across Yorkshire and the wider UK hold comparable premises licences to support occasional themed and seasonal activities," the spokesperson said.

"Such permissions are increasingly standard for modern farm parks that seek to remain vibrant, sustainable and inclusive for all ages."

The company remained committed to an open dialogue to ensure Monk Park Farm was a "valued and responsible part of the community for many years to come", they said.

The licence application will be discussed by members of North Yorkshire Council's statutory licensing sub-committee next Monday.

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