Public garden warned over noise complaints

Derby City Council imposed new rules on Electric Daisy after a planning meeting

A public garden and events space in Derby has been warned it might have to relocate after a series of noise complaints.

Electric Daisy - a community space in Bold Lane - opened in June 2023.

But a Derby City Council planning meeting last week saw councillors consider an application for Electric Daisy's site to be retained permanently after temporary permission lapsed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Following an official noise warning and the complaints, it was decided the venue could remain at its location under strict conditions for the next 12 months.

A council report stated concern that the site had evolved "from a community garden and educational tool to a nighttime events space", which bosses deny

Council planning chief Paul Clark said Electric Daisy was in the "wrong location", and that the council needed "to take a stand" on the situation.

He added: "I think it is the right use but in the wrong location in this part of the city."

Mr Clark said a noise abatement notice was served in June, requiring the operators to stop causing noise nuisance from loud music.

And a council report released before the meeting stated concern that Electric Daisy had evolved "from a community garden and educational tool to a nighttime events space", which its bosses deny.

It has now been given restrictions on the number of "high risk of noise impact" events it can hold.

Conditions placed on the site include:

• Temporary permission to be granted under conditions until 12 November 2026

• No more than 12 "high risk of noise impacts" events per year

• All events shall cease by 22:00

• No customers shall remain on premises outside daily hours of 08:00 to 23:00

The Bold Lane site includes an events space, community garden and outdoor dining area

Down To Earth Regen, which set up the space, has previously stated its intention to expand Electric Daisy to create a "mini Eden Project".

Founder Jamie Quince-Starkey said: "There's been some complaints raised and we take those seriously.

"We're working with the city council on a noise management plan.

"But also, after people heard we'd had complaints, we've received so much support for what we're doing. It's really heartwarming.

"It's not an excuse, but we are only open until 10pm and we try to contain the events.

"We are a grassroots business, and we're trying our utmost to be as financially sustainable as possible - which is really hard in the hospitality industry, which we've brought Electric Daisy into."

Jamie Quince-Starkey said bosses took noise complaints seriously

And despite the noise complaints, other councillors at the meeting expressed support, saying it was an "excellent place" for Derby.

Councillor Gulfraz Nawaz said: "I'm glad we've got something like this in the city centre. I know how much footfall this brings. It is an excellent place."

Fellow councillor Martin Rawson also supported the venue. He said: "It does sound there are sensible conditions in place. Whilst there are residential properties round and about - it is the city centre and it is going to be lively."

Mr Quince-Starkey added: "We want to make Electric Daisy good for everyone. We are working in partnership with the local authority.

"It was unanimously supported, which shows everything you need to know about what Electric Daisy is. I can only apologise to people who we might have disrupted but it's no excuse.

"There's a reason for why Gardeners' World is coming to Electric Daisy and filming there. We are creating something special here."