BNP festival ruling may face appeal

Shaun Jepson | Tuesday, 24 July 2007 Source: Derbyshire Evening Telegraph

Protesters may appeal against a decision to allow alcohol and music at a British National Party festival.

Villagers said they were disgusted after councillors yesterday decided to grant a drinks and entertainment licence to the Red, White and Blue event in Denby.

The announcement came five days after Amber Valley Borough Council's licensing panel first met to discuss the application.

It was debated for three hours at a meeting last Wednesday before councillors said they would make a decision the following day. But it was not until yesterday that they finally gave the go-ahead.

However, John Lumsden, who lives in Codnor-Denby Lane, opposite the field where the festival will take place, said there may be an appeal.

He said: "I can't say if we will appeal collectively as a group of residents until we all meet up, but it's a possibility.

"I'm absolutely disgusted with the decision. They've granted this against the wishes of the people that live in their area and that's not democracy."

Margaret Martin, 58, of Denby Lane, Codnor, said she felt let down by the council.

She said: "I am not very pleased with the decision."

Residents are against the festival because they are worried about an increase in traffic in the area and noise.

If they were to appeal against yesterday's decision, they would have to write to the local magistrates' court.

In granting the licence, the council has told the applicant, BNP member and Denby parish councillor Alan Warner, on whose land the event will take place, he must meet certain conditions.

These are that the festival can open from 2pm until 10.30pm on Friday, August 3, between 9am and 11pm on Saturday, August 4, and from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, August 5.

Alcohol will be available for four hours while BNP members pitch tents on the Friday, from 7pm until 11pm. It can also be sold from 2pm until 5pm, and 7pm until 11pm on the Saturday.

Live and recorded music can be played between 7pm and 10.30pm on the Friday, and on the Saturday from 2pm until 11pm.

No alcohol can be sold or music played on the Sunday.

A maximum of 2,500 people will be allowed entry and the council has also said large single-sex groups should be turned away.

Mr Warner must also carry out an assessment before this Friday to make sure the event will be safe.

He said: "The council had no grounds to not grant us the application. Both the fire and police had no objections to it taking place.

"I'm really pleased they've seen sense. Not being able to sell alcohol would have put a damp squib on the weekend."

Peter Carney, the council's chief executive, said the authority considered carefully all the issues involved before making a decision.

He said the council would carry out a site inspection before the event to make sure conditions had been met.

Amber Valley MP Judy Mallaber said she was disappointed the licence had been granted.

She said: "I still maintain the site is completely unsuitable for an event of this kind."