Future of music festival in doubt after complaints

Slades Fest has applied for later licensing hours and to increase its capacity

The future of a summer music festival remains in doubt after a meeting to discuss its licence was adjourned for a site visit.

The organisers of Slades Fest, near Godalming, Surrey, had applied for a licence to sell alcohol until 05:00 and to increase its capacity to 1,500.

However, the plans received 31 formal objections, including from both Bramley and Hascombe Parish Councils, with some complaining about noise and public nuisance.

Waverley Borough Council said it wants more time to “digest” a last-minute noise management plan.

Slades Fest is due to take place between 27 and 29 July as a non-profit event that raises funds for a suicide prevention charity.

Bramley and Hascombe Parish Councils said the expansion application was “highly misleading” and likely to cause “gridlock” on the single lanes approaching the site.

Writing about a "trial event" held in 2022, the councils said: “The event was attended by Surrey Police due to the number of complaints and incidents within the surrounding area."

The opposing sides were set to meet on Wednesday at Waverley Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee, until the panel decided it needed more time to fully grasp the impact from noise.

Councillor Michael Goodridge, who chaired the meeting, said: "Noise is something which is a licensing issue, which is important for us.

"The panel also feel it’s important that we have a site visit."

A spokesperson for Slades Fest said: “We have a thorough noise management plan, which has been professionally drawn up and is guided by national policy.

"This, alongside feedback from a productive meeting we had with local community members, we hope, will guide us to an outcome that balances the need to minimise disturbance whilst putting on a great event to raise awareness and funds for our cause.”

The application will now be heard on 6 June.

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