We have recieved the following from Kevin Waite, a resident concerned with English Heritage’s Licence Application for the Marble Hill Concerts. He is urging residents to write to Richmond Council to object to the multi-year nature of the licence (at a minimum).
I’m attaching an information flyer some of us have distributed locally, making people aware of the intentions of IMG and English Heritage to apply for a licence for the summer concerts. Under the new Licensing Act, licence applications are awarded indefinitely.
We are concerned that IMG and English Heritage plan to turn Marble Hill Park into a spring/summer/Autumn long concert venue, with increasing audiences. This is inappropriate to the size of the park and the implications for all those who like to use it. There are serious safety issues surrounding concerts, which are in addition to all the other events that are planned and for which licence has been granted.
PLEASE would you alert your readers to the fact that they need to object to the licence (certainly without restrictions that will then apply to future years) by 10th May. The council can only take into consideration objections on the grounds of public safety, public nuisance, crime and disorder.
Marble Hill Park Threatened
Licence application is the thin end of the wedge
Were you upset by the noise and car parking disturbances caused by the August concerts during 2004 and 2005?
This year IMG, the concert organiser, and English Heritage plan concerts on the following days, all with fireworks (up to 10:30pm), except the Jazz Caf{e’}:
| Saturday, August12 | 7:30pm – 10:30pm | Jules Holland |
| Sunday, August 13 | 2:00pm – 10:00pm | Jazz Caf{e’} |
| Saturday, August19 | 7:30pm – 10:30pm | Dirty Dancing |
| Saturday, August 26 7:30pm – 10:30pm | Westlife Pop Group | |
| Sunday, August 27 | 7:30pm – 10:30pm | Last Night of the Proms |
In addition, on the day of the concerts:
- There will be heavy support lorries delivering equipment during the morning.
- This year, for the first time, there will be 90 minutes of full amplification in the rehearsal period (2pm to 5pm). Previously there were just sound checks.
- It will be midnight before the car parks are cleared.
- The park cleaners will not be able to finish before 1am.
Why is this year important?
IMG is applying under the new Licensing Act for a premises licence for five concerts this year and six thereafter. When a licence is granted, it is for an indefinite period. It is therefore essential that the licence granted this year places a maximum limit on the audience size (now 8,000) and the length of concerts. If it doesn’t, IMG will be free to expand the size and change the nature of their programmes.
It is therefore vital to make your comments known about this year’s application before the license is granted as it will affect future years.
What can you do?
Before May 10th 2006, contact the Council’s licensing office with your views if you want to prevent Marble Hill Park being turned into a summer stadium with large areas permanently fenced off. Objections can be made under the four areas which the council have to take into account: public safety, public nuisance, crime and disorder, and protection of children from harm.
By email: licensing@richmond.gov.uk
For further information please contact:
| Adam Brand | Tel: 8892 6831 | for Cambridge Park & surrounds |
| Michael Frayn | michaelfrayn@btinternet.com | for Petersham and Ham |
| Jill Jones | Tel: 8892 6108 | for Montpelier Row & surrounds |
| Paula Vokes | Tel: 8892 1219 | for Meadowside & surrounds |
| Kevin Waite | mail@kevin-waite.com | for Richmond Road & surrounds |
Comments
As a previous resident of St Margarets, and now responsible for Organising the Concerts on behalf of English Heritage, I wanted to clarify a few points you have raised in connection with the Marble Hill concerts licence application.
I am confused by the reference to disturbance caused by heavy support lorries at the concerts. Last year, noise from roadworks on Richmond Road late at night was wrongly attributed to the concerts. We have never received any valid complaints about truck noise from the concerts as truck movements are limited and strictly controlled. We are not proposing doing anything else differently with regards to trucks at the concerts.
The rehearsals/sound check timings are also the same as in previous years. However, it is worth noting that are now not licensable activities under the new licensing law, but we are keen to control them and to apply noise conditions to them, as part of our efforts to minimise noise disturbance to local residents.
With regards to clearing car parks, we have an excellent track record, with Police supporting us, and have them cleared by 11.30pm at the latest. This is no different from previous years.
Litter clearance takes place during, and following the event, and English Heritage are happy with the excellent clear-up which took place at last year's events. Litter clearup causes no noise disturbance to local residents as it is carried out by hand, and skips are emptied by the council during the day.
The concerts are enjoyed by nearly 20,000 local people, and we work extremely hard, using independent noise consultants to limit disturbance caused to local residents.
Gudrun Allsobrook on 2006-05-08 15:44:45 +0000Kevin should stop being such a grumpy-guts and instead be happy that we have such a cool venue with cool events within walking distance of our houses (yes we live nearby too). What's wrong with enjoying what's going on? If we moan too much, it'll all dry up -- and where will that get us?
Jason on 2006-05-08 20:55:41 +0000I think if Simon knew me, which he doesn't, I don't think he could justifiably call me a "grumpy guts"! I am glad that we have a good venue within walking distance of our houses and there's nothing wrong with enjoying what's going on! I attend the concerts and enjoy them. What I object to is the possibility that the park will be taken advantage of by IMG - a large corporation - who may well have it in mind to hold as many concerts as possible throughout the year and tempt English Heritage into being part of it all because they receive funding from the proceeds.
I am concerned for people's safety and enjoyment of a beautiful park with concerts held there but of an appropriate number and size. Simple as that, really.
Kevin Waite on 2006-05-08 23:00:54 +0000Hi Kevin - that was a good answer, thank you. Perhaps I was a bit grumpy myself in my previous comment - for which apologies - but I just wanted to make sure we weren't being nimbies. I agree about the appropriate number and size.
Jason on 2006-05-19 09:18:46 +0000