Cliff Top Music Festival given green light after organisers scale back plans
Cliff Top Music Festival has been given the go-ahead to run as a two-day event after changes to its licence were approved
Cliff Top Music Festival has been given permission to operate a two-day event after having changes to its licence heard by a committee.
Organisers, Stir Events were seeking to expand the festival to a three-day event held twice a year with the hours the festival also extending to between 6pm and 10pm on Friday, 11am to 10pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.
The original application received 22 objections, including from Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council and 11 representations in support.
Mediation took place and the organisers agreed to reduce the event to a two-day festival held once a year and to reduce the hours to between 11am and 8pm on Saturdays and between 11am and 5pm on Sundays.
In response six objections about the changes to the festival were withdrawn.
BCP Council licensing committee granted the application and said it felt the event would uphold the licensing objectives.
Mandy Polkey, managing director at Stir Events CIC said, “I am delighted that BCP Council has granted the licence variation for the Cliff Top Music Festival to operate as a two-day event.
“The festival was originally created to promote and grow the Highcliffe area, and this decision allows us to continue delivering a safe, well-managed and much-loved community event that brings real economic and social benefit to the village.
“We remain fully committed to working respectfully with residents, and ensuring the festival continues to be something the whole community can enjoy and be proud of.
A spokesperson for Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council said: “The licensing subcommittee decision will come as some relief to many people in the Highcliffe community.
“The original application was for six days of music lasting into the night, which was simply not appropriate for this residential area, and caused huge concern locally.
“This was proposed without any prior community consultation, blindsiding even the lead sponsor for the last two years, HWPC.
“While there remains some public anxiety about noise, we hope the new restrictions will address these. And with an expanded two-day festival, we hope there will be an opportunity for Highcliffe’s hospitality businesses and other local suppliers.”