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Decision due for beach festival Beach festival plans 'shambolic'
(about 3 hours later)
The organisers of a proposed beach festival at a Carmarthenshire beauty spot are due to find out later if their application has been successful. Objectors to a beach festival proposed at a Carmarthenshire beauty spot have told a licensing hearing that plans for the event appear "shambolic."
Beach Break Live wants to bring 20,000 students to Pembrey Country Park in June to see acts such as Calvin Harris and Plan B. Sixteen opponents will address the committee while more than 100 have written objecting to the event planned for Pembrey Country Park in June.
Residents are worried it could lead to noise, alcohol and traffic problems. Acts such as Calvin Harris and Plan B are due to appear at Beach Break Live.
Carmarthenshire Council's licensing committee visited the site on Monday and now wants to hear from all sides. Organisers, who are applying for a license for up 19,999 people, will address the hearing later this week.
Following the site inspection, members are due to listen to protesters, supporters and emergency services before reaching a decision. First to speak at the hearing at County Hall in Carmarthen was Simon Plant of Carmarthenshire's Safeguarding Children Board.
I have no objection to festivals but they have to be put in the right place Pembrey councillor Hugh Shepardson He said organisers had agreed that only those aged 18 and over would be aloud to enter apart from a small group of students working there.
He said he had discussed the need for strict identification enforcement, improved security fencing and "effective and robust" management of the event.
But he faced dozens of questions from objectors.
Local councillor Stephen James told him: "It's there for all to see that not enough work has been done."
He said he was "genuinely concerned" the safety of youngsters would be put at risk and claimed the organisation "was shambolic."
Residents are also worried it could lead to noise, alcohol and traffic problems.
Carmarthenshire council's licensing committee visited the site on Monday and will also hear from the police, its own public protection unit, environmental health and the applicants.
The hearing is expected to last until Thursday.
Under Beach Break Live's plans, students will be bussed onto the site for the five-day festival between 14-18 June in a bid to reduce traffic congestion.Under Beach Break Live's plans, students will be bussed onto the site for the five-day festival between 14-18 June in a bid to reduce traffic congestion.
Zorb skittlesZorb skittles
The organisation's website states that as well as acts including Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Plan B and the Futureheads, the festival will include zorb skittles - where challengers compete in zorbing balls with their legs tied together - a skate ramp, burlesque entertainment and crafts such as knitting and mask making.The organisation's website states that as well as acts including Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Plan B and the Futureheads, the festival will include zorb skittles - where challengers compete in zorbing balls with their legs tied together - a skate ramp, burlesque entertainment and crafts such as knitting and mask making.
Among those planning to speak later is Pembrey county councillor Hugh Shepardson, who said: "I think if you asked Joe Public, the biggest complaint would be the closure of the park for five days.Among those planning to speak later is Pembrey county councillor Hugh Shepardson, who said: "I think if you asked Joe Public, the biggest complaint would be the closure of the park for five days.
"About six weeks ago the town council convened a residents' meeting and about 400 people attended. We had a show of hands and I would say about 95% of people opposed it. "About six weeks ago the town council convened a residents' meeting and about 400 people attended. We had a show of hands and I would say about 95% of people opposed it."
"As a community we try to have a zero tolerance approach towards alcohol. They have asked for a 24-hour licence and the more alcohol consumed, the more likelihood of incidents that would involve the police.
"With 20,000 students, there is also the element of drugs. My concern is if needles are left on the beach, children will find them.
"The country park is a family-orientated park. I have no objection to festivals but they have to be put in the right place.""The country park is a family-orientated park. I have no objection to festivals but they have to be put in the right place."
UK destinationUK destination
Beach Break Live was unavailable for comment ahead of the licensing meeting but in a previous statement said: "Beach Break Live works closely with various arts, educational, environmental, charitable and social institutions. Beach Break Live said it did not wish to comment ahead of addressing the committee.
But in a previous statement said: "Beach Break Live works closely with various arts, educational, environmental, charitable and social institutions.
"The region would be exposed to a valuable demographic as an area of outstanding beauty and ultimately a UK destination of choice."The region would be exposed to a valuable demographic as an area of outstanding beauty and ultimately a UK destination of choice.
"We would expect a million people a year to be reached by our unique marketing channels and would continue to work with the council to maximise the significant opportunities that this exposure represents to the region.""We would expect a million people a year to be reached by our unique marketing channels and would continue to work with the council to maximise the significant opportunities that this exposure represents to the region."
A council spokesman said no comment would be made until after the licensing meeting.
Beach Break Live started in Cornwall in 2007 but last year moved to Kent after complaints from residents about noise.Beach Break Live started in Cornwall in 2007 but last year moved to Kent after complaints from residents about noise.