Outcry over licence plan for Wolverhampton park entertainment
Plans to stage more live events in a Wolverhampton park where alcohol will be served have sparked a huge wave of protest from residents, who say a licence to do so will lead to noise, drunkenness and antisocial behaviour.
City council bosses have applied for a premises licence to hold concerts, plays, films and festivals in Bantock Park, Finchfield Road, prompting a wealth of public concern.
Licensing chiefs have received just one letter in support of the application – compared to dozens of complaints from people concerned about noise, drunken behaviour, drug dealing, litter and traffic problems.
In written correspondence to the council, one resident said: “It is my firmly held belief that the granting of a licence to serve alcohol in Bantock Park is completely inappropriate. It is a beautiful suburban green space that serves as a peaceful haven for both local residents and nature/wildlife.
“There are also many young families and elderly residents living adjacent to the park. It is inappropriate to encourage noise, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour until late in the evening in a resedential area such as this. Regular events running late into the evening will inevitably disrupt this in many ways, disturbing wildlife and causing damage to this special park – as well as increasing litter and vandalism.”
“The local road network around the park cannot support large numbers of visitors at one time, causing problems with traffic and parking for local residents. Our city already has many alternative purpose-built venues in which such events could be hosted. I urge you to protect this special park and not to grant this licence.”
Another added: “As a resident living local to Bantock Park, I and my family object strongly to the the granting of a licence for the sale of alcohol. This is not appropriate for the park and would not have been envisaged by Alderman Baldwin Bantock when he bequeathed the park to Wolverhampton.
“There is already a lot of antisocial behaviour in the area at night, including noise, speeding vehicles, drunkenness, litter and drug dealing, so any further encouragement of these activities is the last thing that the neighbourhood and residents need.
“The vehicular and pedestrian accesses to the park is already very dangerous due to failure to observe speed limits, which are frequently flouted – often to an alarming extent. The council has failed to introduce any traffic-calming measures to help the situation near the main entrance. Recent events on the park have caused much concern and inconvenience to residents.”
A further email said: “There are more than enough licensed premises near the park – The Bradmore Arms, Gunmakers Arms, The Chindit, The Chestnut Tree, The Westacres – for people to enjoy an alcoholic drink. Bantock Park already has a problem with drug dealing in the car park which has been well observed by users of the park and local residents, and adding alcohol into the equation will create more crime and disorder.
“I also believe that it will create an atmosphere in the park which will be of harm to children and young women and mothers who enjoy using the playground, the more extensive park area and the courtyard area where they can enjoy meals, soft drinks and ice creams.”
Another added: “The park is a natural recreational area for citizens including dog walkers, childminders and walkers. The ambience of the park will be spoilt if it is exploited as an entertainments venue with the sale of alcohol. Rubbish is already a problem and the sale of alcohol will probably mean more broken glass in a grassy area, causing risks to children and animals.”
However, one resident wrote: “I have no objections. It would be great for local businesses to have more events at Bantock Park. As a local resident, it’s hard to see local businesses go under. Surely events will help.”
Following mediation with both environmental health and the local licensing authority, the applicants acting on behalf of the council have agreed to a number of modifications to those set out in the original application.
The council’s statutory licensing sub-committee is due to make a decision on the application next Tuesday. All parties concerned have been invited to attend the hearing.
