Plans to attract thousands more people to a music festival have sparked a raft of complaints from neighbours.
The organisers of 51st State Festival – a major event on the house music scene – are hoping crowds of more than 17,000 people will attend the “biggest event to date” in Trent Country Park.
The park has hosted the event for the past four years – and the council’s licensing committee will on Wednesday (June 19) decide whether to grant a licence for another year.
Last year’s 51st State had a maximum crowd limit of 15,000 – which some claimed already put too much strain on transport hubs.
The licensing committee has received five letters of support for this year’s plans and 16 objections.
Many of the opponents fear the festival will lead to crime and anti-social behaviour, including drug-taking and urinating in the street, with plans to sell alcohol from 11am to 9.45pm.
Others fear another 2,000 people will cause travel disruption as large crowds head through small exits and towards Cockfosters tube station.
The Friends of Trent Country Park fear an “inadequate” number of police officers could lead to disorder.
They add previous events with large crowds have damaged the surface of the park and landed the council with hefty repair bills.
Trent Country Park now hosts several large-scale events during the summer months – and not everyone is happy about it.
Plans to hold the Elrow Town festival in the parkduring August drew 26 letters of opposition from the public.
But the council says music festivals and other events also bring cultural and economic benefits to the borough.
Enfield Council’s Events Strategy estimates they boost the local economy by more than £6.8 million and support around 87 jobs.
The organisers of 51st State, Mad Husky Events, have submitted a plan to monitor noise to ensure it does not breach limits.
Security will be enforced by 18 police officers, one inspector and three sergeants.
There will also be 221 private security personnel monitoring crowds, with another 56 at the bars.
The organisers have submitted a traffic management plan, which includes road closures near the park, to minimise disruption.
Councillors will have to judge whether the application satisfies four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.
The licensing committee will meet at 10am on Wednesday, June 19 at Enfield Civic Centre.
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