Lewes Music Festival secures annual festival for Stanley Turner Recreation Ground

In a decision published on Monday (October 24), the organisers of Lewes Music Festival have been granted a licence to serve alcohol and play music at the Stanley Turner Recreational Ground on a single weekend each year

The decision follows on from a hearing held on Friday, October 14, during which residents of the nearby Cranedown estate called on councillors not to grant a licence. The objectors said this year’s event had caused a major noise distribution and argued the playing field was an inappropriate place for a music festival.

Councillors reached a different conclusion, however, concluding that a ‘well-run’ event could carry on without significant disruption.

The decision notice reads “The sub-committee appreciated the concerns of local residents about the noise nuisance, in light of their experience at a previous event in May 2022, held under a Temporary Event Notice.

“Taking those concerns into account it considered that the imposition of the conditions on the licence, in particular the condition relating to the production of an Event Management Plan incorporating a Noise Management Plan, would be an appropriate and proportionate step to address those concerns.

“It further noted that the event was once a year and that the licensable times were not excessive. The members considered that the applicant had demonstrated that any event would be likely to be, on balance, a well-run event which would not undermine the licensing objectives.”

Conditions imposed by the committee included noise-monitoring and measures to prevent noise levels from going above a 65 decibel limit. This would be measured from the boundary of the site nearest to the housing.

The 2022 festival was a one-day event, however the licence sought secured by organisers would allow the festival to operate over two days each year. It is licensed to serve alcohol from 11am to 11pm on the Saturday and from 11am until 8pm on the Sunday.

During the hearing, lead organiser Rebecca Taylor said she did not plan to use this second day in 2023, but wanted the ability to expand the festival in future.

As with the 2022 event, the festival is expected to combine a music festival with a Rugby 7s tournament.