Cornwall dance event cancelled after residents' concerns

Organisers have withdrawn the application to hold the event at the Killiow Estate at Playing Place

Organisers of Masked Ball events have withdrawn a licensing application to hold a spring ball near Truro following concerns from residents.

Organisers have pulled the application to hold the event at the Killiow Estate at Playing Place.

Kelvin Batt, who originated the popular masked balls, said the withdrawal comes after "many objections" from residents on the estate.

The event was due to take place in May.

Mr Batt said the spring ball will not go ahead this year, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

An application for a premises licence was due to be held at Cornwall Council on Wednesday.

However, concerns from residents, Devon and Cornwall Police and the council's environmental protection officer have led to the application being withdrawn.

Mr Batt said organisers have been unable to reach an agreement with residents that would allow the event to go ahead successfully.

Home Farm Estate Residents' Association, which includes people living at Killiow, had objected to the event taking place.

'Significant detrimental effect'

A number of members of the community group had expressed concerns surrounding possible damage to woodland on the site, the close proximity to the A39 and the effects of noise.

In a letter to the council's licensing department, some of the members aired concerns surrounding revellers wandering onto their properties.

A police spokesperson said Killiow was the "wrong location" for the ball, raising concerns about traffic and noise.

The council's environmental protection officer said the event would have a "significant detrimental effect" on nearby residential properties.

"There are numerous properties in Playing Place, Kea and particularly on the Killiow Estate land close to the proposed location of the event," the officer wrote.

"The noise management plan has recommended noise limits but we do not agree that these will adequately protect the closest neighbours to the event location."

Mr Batt said organisers "look forward" to working alongside estate owners and residents in order to find a suitable event for the venue in future.