The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned to allow the Environmental Health Officer, Applicant and Acoustic Consultant to discuss the amendments included in the supplementary papers relating to noise.

Meeting adjourned 2.07pm

Meeting reconvened 2.25pm

The Hearing gave consideration to the report by the Senior Licensing Officer giving details of an application for a variation of a premises license for Camp Wildfire, The Pinetum, St Clere, Kemsing, TN15 6NL.

The Applicant gave a presentation. Following the success of the adult only festival, they had planned to introduce festival for families for two weekends as well as a second adult only festival. The Applicant set out measures taken in response to the consultation such as the appointment of an independent Acoustic Consultant, reduction of requested music noise levels, and ensuring lighting would not intrude on properties.

Members questioned the measures taken to avoid disturbing local residents. They were advised that music stages would close slowly to avoid large crowds walking to the campsite at one time. The Acoustics Consultant advised that the main stage would be far from residents and face away from them. For the adult events, the main stage would close at 1am while at the family events the main stage would close at 11pm. The Applicant advised that they would be willing to accept two different set of conditions to reflect the type of events taking place. Following queries on damage to property, the Applicant advised that any damage caused by a supplier would be covered by them.

The Legal Advisor reminded the Hearing that the conditions of the premises licence already granted could not be further restricted.

A Resident asked for clarification on the times of the family event. The Applicant advised that the main stage would close at 11pm but recorded music would continue until 1am in a smaller space.

The Environmental Health Officer expressed that their primary concern was the monitoring of noise levels at the events. It was suggested that monitoring periods ought to be reduced from 15 minutes to 5 minutes to allow a quicker response to any noise issues. Further concerns were expressed over noise disturbance with events take place across four weekends back to back. However, in the knowledge that the two family events would be inaudible from 11pm, this was considered less of a concern.

The Applicant expressed that they would be willing to move to a 5 minute monitoring period.

The Hearing heard from the residents present who expressed their concerns with noise disturbance and the number of people on the premises at the events. Further concerns were raised over damage to property as a result of an increase in traffic.

The meeting was adjourned for a brief comfort break.

Meeting adjourned 3.50pm

Meeting reconvened 4.00pm

In response to the noise concerns, the Acoustic Consultant referred to the proposed changes to the conditions as set out the letter in the supplementary agenda. A complaints telephone line would be maintained throughout the events and noise measurements would be taken frequently from 6pm to 1am with any complaints from a specific area directly addressed. In response to concerns over the number of people on site, the Applicant advised that they would have a maximum of 3000 people for the family events, but would be willing to keep the maximum number of people at 2500 for the adult events. The Applicant advised that as the four events may take place back to back across four weekends, there would not be a large increase in suppliers vehicles. It was anticipated that there would be less traffic from attendees at the family events.

It was emphasised by the Applicant that they intended to ensure the music was inaudible at the agreed hours. They wished to continue to work with the Environmental Health team and local residents.

At 4.37pm, the Sub-Committee ended the Hearing and the Chairman confirmed that a decision would be made within 5 working days and provided to the parties thereafter.