By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A popular family-friendly music festival at Cheltenham Racecourse could be stripped of its licence after complaints over noise and nuisance which “caused distress” to nearby residents.
Cheltenham Borough Council is due to review the premises licence for Wychwood Festival next month.
The family-friendly event, which this year is planned for May 30 to June 1, is popular with parents and children and includes workshops, comedy, a literature festival and live performances.
Half a dozen people from nearby Park Lane, Spring Lane and Shaw Green Lane along with Prestbury Parish Council have objected to the licence.
Residents have complained under the prevention of public nuisance and public safety which has triggered a review of the event’s premises licence.
“We live in Park Lane and had a very disturbed and distressing weekend during Wychwood 2024 due to excessive and intrusive levels of noise and low frequency vibrations which we could even hear and feel inside our home,” one resident said.
“We spent the entire three days of the festival with all of our doors and windows closed but still couldn’t block it out. We couldn’t spend any time in our garden.
“Acoustic consultants on site told us that sound levels were within permitted limits which is hard to believe, given the level of noise intrusion and the impact on nearby homes and neighbours.
“We were told on a number of occasions that the sound would be turned down but this was not our experience.”
Another Park Lane resident said they were “horrified” by the excessive noise of last year’s festival which “caused distress” to Prestbury residents.
“[It] not only disturbed the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood but caused distress to some residents.
“The stage should be relocated to the other end of the helipad field as previously. It is perverse to have the stage so close to Park Lane nearest to the homes of Prestbury residents.”
Another person who lives in Shaw Green Lane said they felt last year’s festival was louder than previous ones right from the initial sound check.
“At any one time over the three days I could discern multiple songs/fairground noise/MC voice overs, creating a discordant cacophony of noise and vibration, particularly on base frequencies, that resulted in me spending most of the three days sitting in my home with all doors and windows shut wearing noise cancelling headphones just to prevent myself becoming overwhelmed by the noise.”
The 10,000 person capacity festival currently has permission to play live and recorded music indoors and outdoors as well as films, dance and other performances.
They can also provide late night food and drink as well as supply alcohol for consumption at the site.
However, councillors will review the licence at a licensing sub-committee expected to take place in March.
A spokesperson for Wychwood Festival said they take all concerns seriously regardless of how isolated they may seem.
They say they take pride in being an inclusive, family-friendly event and their commitment extends beyond the festival itself.
“Wychwood Festival takes pride in being an inclusive, family-friendly event enjoyed by thousands of loyal attendees from Cheltenham and the surrounding areas,” a spokesperson said.
“We maintain a close working relationship with Cheltenham Borough Council, our stakeholders, and local authorities to ensure the festival has a positive impact on the local community.
“We take all concerns raised seriously, regardless of how isolated they may seem. Our commitment extends beyond the festival itself.
“Our goal is to make Wychwood not only an incredible experience for attendees but also a welcome contribution to the cultural calendar for all residents in the area.”
People can have their say on the proposals and have until March 5 to comment. They can do so by visiting Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing portal and searching for application 25/00368/PRMR.