Council bosses are considering whether to impose restrictions on festivals held at Leazes Park after tough new limits on events in Exhibition Park were approved.
Newcastle City Council’s sub-licensing committee is considering whether to allow Leazes Park organisers to sell alcohol and host events amid a war on noise in Newcastle.
Councillors retired on Thursday afternoon to consider Urban Green Newcastle’s application for a new premises licence at the park which would allow the sale of alcohol and live music performances.
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A ruling could be made that could see restrictions imposed on Leazes Park, which has played host to music festivals like Noughty 90s and Lost Minds. Urban Green's application contained a number of conditions which the charity has agreed to in order go ahead with its plans.
Like in Exhibition Park, it is proposed to impose a maximum noise limit and to ask for 180 days’ notice of events being held. Events will also have to end at 10.30pm to facilitate the dispersal of crowds by 11pm.
Urban Green also agreed to council officers' recommendations to ensure no events will take place ahead of a working day of the week. However, there is still some opposition to the plans for the park.
Dr Lynne Henry, a resident present at the committee meeting said: “My main issue was regarding the alcohol exclusion zone, which we used to have around the Leazes Park area. It seems a little bit counterintuitive to have a licensed premises in an alcohol exclusion area, which would obviously not be an alcohol exclusion zone area.
“That was my main issue which doesn't seem to be up for negotiation.”
Dr Henry also maintained concerns over potential noise disturbance as a result of high impact events that could be scheduled in the park.
“Because of the situation of the park in the local area, I would say, the majority of local residents do not have their own gardens, it's mainly flats or terrace housing. People use the park for exercise, just relaxing, or going through the park to enjoy a walk into town or work.
“All of those issues, there's going to be a massive impact on them, and I don't see a way around that unless something extremely creative is come up with.”
Urban Green will be informed of the committee’s decision within five working days.
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