The Licensing Sub-Committee of Wandsworth Council scheduled a meeting to discuss a licensing application for a new time-limited premises licence. The application was submitted by Enable Leisure & Culture for a Country Music Festival at Tooting Common Lido Field. The report pack includes the application and objections to it.

Country Music Festival Licence Application

Enable Leisure & Culture applied for a new time-limited 2-day premises licence for a Country Music Festival at Tooting Common, Lido Field, Tooting Bec Road on Saturday 5th July 2025 and Sunday 6th July 2025.

The application requests permission to:

• Sell alcohol from 12:00 to 22:15 on Saturday and 12:00 to 21:45 on Sunday.
• Provide regulated entertainment, including plays, films, live and recorded music, and dance performances, from 12:00 to 22:30 on Saturday and 12:00 to 22:00 on Sunday.

Enable Leisure & Culture is a not-for-profit organisation that manages public services on behalf of Wandsworth Council.

Representations Received

The council received representations from responsible authorities and other persons, which were included for consideration.

• Metropolitan Police: The Metropolitan Police raised concerns that the operating schedule did not adequately address the prevention of crime and disorder. They requested additional conditions related to CCTV, glassware, event safety management plan (ESMP), Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered supervisors, event search and screening, entry to premises, sealed liquid containers, accommodation limit, safety arrangements, access for emergency vehicles, staff training, and conduct of premises.

  At the time of this report the police representation is still outstanding. The applicant is in discussions with the police. Currently the conditions requested by the Police can be seen in APPENDIX B of this report. As such the representations made by the Metropolitan Police have not been satisfied.

• Environmental Services Officer (Noise): The Environmental Services Officer raised concerns about the location, as it had not been used for an event of this size before. They were concerned about the impact on residents due to higher music levels and requested a condition requiring a post-event compliance report to be submitted to Environmental Health within 4 weeks after the event. The applicant agreed to this condition, satisfying the Environmental Services Officer's concerns.

• Other Persons: Seventeen representations objecting to the application and one in support were received from other persons, raising concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety.

  • Public nuisance concerns included noise from the event and from people leaving the event, litter, and public urination and defecation.
  • Crime and disorder concerns included potential knife crime and public disorder.

Licensing Objectives and Policy Considerations

The report pack notes that the Licensing Act 2003 requires the council to carry out its licensing functions to promote the following licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

The report pack also notes that the council's Statement of Licensing Policy includes policy decisions relevant to the application, including those related to licensing hours, mandatory conditions, crime and disorder, public safety, and public nuisance.

Conditions

The report pack includes conditions arising from the applicant's operating schedule, as well as suggested conditions arising from relevant representations. These include measures related to staff training, CCTV, security, incident logs, conditions of entry, noise management, crowd management, and the prevention of alcohol sales to children.

Objections

The report pack includes numerous letters objecting to the granting of the license.

Many objections repeat similar themes, including:

• Public Nuisance: Residents expressed concerns about noise levels, both during the event and late at night as attendees leave. Littering, potential damage to green spaces, and public urination were also cited as potential nuisances.
• Crime and Disorder: Concerns were raised about the potential for increased crime, antisocial behaviour, and drug use due to the large crowds and alcohol consumption.
• Public Safety: Objectors questioned the capacity of Tooting Common to safely accommodate a large-scale event, citing potential traffic congestion, pedestrian safety risks, and strain on emergency services.
• Impact on Local Residents: Many residents felt the event would disrupt their peaceful enjoyment of their properties and the Common, particularly those with young children or those sensitive to noise.
• Environmental Impact: Concerns were raised about potential damage to the Common's grassland, wildlife, and overall biodiversity due to the event's footprint and increased foot traffic.
• Lack of Consultation: Several objectors, particularly those residing in Lambeth, felt there was inadequate consultation with local residents and community groups before the application was submitted.

• Inclusivity: One objection stated that the event was not inclusive.

  Any enclosure of Common Land & it’s use for paid for events is against the whole ethos of Common Land and is NOT & NEVER will be inclusive. Country Music largely white, largely male, largely beer driven – hardly an inclusive community event in any case!

• Traffic and Transport: Concerns were raised about the adequacy of public transport options for attendees, leading to potential traffic congestion and parking issues in residential areas.

Support

The report pack also includes one letter of support for the application, stating that the proposals appear to adequately address the licensing objectives.