The Licensing Sub-Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 26 February 2026 and approved a premises licence for the Ground Rules Festival at Deene Park, subject to conditions. The committee also considered an existing personal licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

Ground Rules Festival Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved the application for a new premises licence for the Ground Rules Festival, to be held at Deene Park, Deene, NN17 3EW, from 19 to 22 June 2026. The licence was granted subject to conditions imposed by the police and the requirement for management documentation to be in place.

The application sought permission for licensable activities including the provision of regulated entertainment (films, live music, recorded music, performances of dance, and similar activities), late-night refreshment, and the supply of alcohol. The proposed opening hours for the festival were from 11:00 on Friday 19 June to 12:00 on Monday 22 June 2026.

During the consultation period, eight representations were received, raising concerns about public nuisance from loud, late-night music, public safety due to traffic management, and potential crime and disorder stemming from drugs, anti-social behaviour, and attendee conduct in nearby villages.

Representations were made by Northamptonshire Police, Deene and Deenethorpe Parish Council, Priors Hall Park Neighbourhood Association, and several local residents, including Craig Ramsey, Geoff Norris, Jessica Adams, Jon Breckon, and Linda Gretton. Key concerns highlighted by objectors included:

• Noise and Nuisance: Residents expressed significant worry about loud music, particularly heavy bass, continuing into the early hours of the morning, causing sleep deprivation and distress. Specific concerns were raised about music penetrating homes and the ineffectiveness of previous noise mitigation measures. The proposed extended hours, with music potentially lasting until 4:00 am on some nights, were deemed unacceptable by many.
• Crime and Disorder: Concerns were raised about suspicious activity, drug use, and anti-social behaviour in and around nearby villages, with reports of attendees camping illegally and engaging in disruptive behaviour.
• Traffic and Parking: Chaotic traffic management and inconsiderate parking by festival-goers were cited as issues that negatively impacted local communities.
• Impact on Residents: Several objectors stated that they had previously felt compelled to leave their homes to escape the disturbance caused by similar events.

Northamptonshire Police lodged an objection, stating that the operating schedule was too vague to assess whether the licensing objectives would be promoted. They outlined specific conditions that would need to be agreed upon, including the submission of detailed Event Management, Traffic Management, and Event Stewarding & Security Plans at least four months before the build phase of the event. These plans would need to cover a wide range of areas, including site layout, crowd capacity calculations, risk assessments, medical provision, and alcohol outlet management.

The Deene and Deenethorpe Parish Council and Priors Hall Park Neighbourhood Association also submitted representations, acknowledging the potential financial benefits of events at Deene Park but emphasizing the need for responsible management and addressing previous concerns. They requested conditions such as a reduction in terminal hours, submission and approval of a Noise Management Plan, continuous noise monitoring, and a comprehensive Traffic and Parking Management Plan.

The decision to grant the licence was made by the Licensing Sub-Committee, comprising Cllrs Brooke, Duffy, and McLean. The approval was made subject to the conditions imposed by the police and the requirement for management documentation to be in place, indicating that the committee considered the proposed conditions sufficient to address the concerns raised and promote the licensing objectives.

Consideration of an Existing Personal Licence

The Licensing Sub-Committee also considered an existing personal licence under the Licensing Act 2003. No specific details regarding the nature of this consideration or its outcome were publicly available in the provided documents.