Live music allowed at car boot sale site

Up to three live music and performance events a year can be held at the site

Up to three live music and performance events a year can be held at a car boot sale site near Wombourne, despite residents’ concerns over noise disturbance and safety.

South Staffordshire Council granted the licence, allowing up to three days of events each year including music, dance, similar performances and alcohol sales

There were more than 20 objections to the licence for the Cols Car Boot Sale Site, at the junction of Wombourne Road and Bridgnorth Road.

The approval was subject to a series of conditions.

Conditions include limiting events to Fridays and Saturdays, ticket-only entrance, keeping start and finish times between 10:00 to 18:00, and alcohol sales between 11:00 and 17:00.

Under the conditions, no more than 3,000 tickets are to be sold for each day an event is held. Free parking is to be provided on site.

Locals' concerns

Wombourne Parish Council, which objected, said: “We believe that this application could expose local families and young people to significant risks, including exploitation, drug trafficking, and gang-related activities.”

One resident opposite the field said: “This will cause even more traffic and the junction is already notorious for road traffic accidents.”

And another objector said: “Firstly it will increase the amount of rubbish and pollution along the Bridgnorth Road. Secondly it will increase the road congestion."

Applicants Donna Turley and Charlotte Whitehouse agreed conditions with Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, licensing sub-committee papers said.

They said staff and marshals would be briefed on their zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, violence, drunken behaviour and vandalism.

Noise levels and crowd behaviour would be monitored and there would be waste management and traffic and parking instructions, they said.

They added: “Children’s safety will be amongst our top priorities and adults will be met with signage that children are to be accompanied by an adult at all times.”

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.