'Family friendly' festival faces disruption claims

A licensing sub-committee will discuss the application at Barrow Town Hall on 21 July

Concerns have been aired that a "family friendly" live music festival would cause disruption for nearby residents.

Coast Roads Music & Arts Festival Ltd has applied for a licence to hold the event in Barrow Park on 27 and 28 July.

Objectors claim noise would keep families and young children awake and expressed fears of an increase in anti-social behaviour in the park itself.

Organisers say it is a "relatively small" event and they will work with police and council officials to keep within any licensing conditions.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said documents submitted by the applicant state: "The event is a medium scale, family friendly music and arts festival with a focus on supporting local emerging artists, engaging communities and local schools in the arts."

The festival says it allows people "to appreciate the outdoors as part of the great British festival experience whilst enjoying the beautiful backdrop of Barrow Park".

The applicant said: "We operate a strict zero tolerance policy to drugs," adding anyone found to be in possession of or using them would be dealt with by the security team who would liaise with the local authorities.

Organisers vowed: "We will continue to work closely with the police and council officials as we move closer to the festival to ensure that all licensing objectives are met."

The application will be considered by Westmorland and Furness Council's licensing sub-committee on 21 June.