Review of Shropshire and West Midlands Showground’s premises licence sought following noise complaints
Shropshire Council’s public protection service is to seek a review of the Shropshire and West Midlands Showground’s premises license, to make it easier to control noise levels at outdoor events held at the site.
The review follows a number of complaints about sound levels at events held at the showground, most recently at this month’s Shrewsbury Fields Forever festival at which volume and bass levels were found to exceed permitted levels – something that also occurred at last year’s event.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for public protection, said:
“The music festivals and other outdoor events held at the showground every year are incredibly popular, are enjoyed by many thousands of people, and provide a real boost to the economy of Shrewsbury and Shropshire. So it’s important to stress that we’re not seeking to limit or stop music events at the Shropshire and West Midlands Showground – simply make it easier to control noise levels.
“We’ve been working closely with the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society to try and improve management of the site and there has been a significant improvement. However noise has remained an occasional problem.
“The issue is that under their current licence the showground has an umbrella permission to hold music events without any specific additional controls, and they are unable to exert any real control over the event organiser. Similarly, Shropshire Council can only take action against the licence holder and not the person causing the noise problem.
“This makes ensuring compliance with the conditions of the licence almost impossible.
“We’re therefore suggesting that the showground’s licence should exclude any significant outdoor music event, but that all larger outdoor events where there is a substantial music element should be subject to a bespoke licence that is issued to the event organiser.
“This will help to ensure that is easier for us to control noise levels, and that there is greater accountability and fewer complaints.”
