The Licensing Act Sub Committee of Cornwall Council met on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to consider an application for a premises licence for the Boardmasters Festival. The committee granted the application with additional conditions relating to CCTV and extended late-night music audibility, and also imposed conditions regarding noise monitoring records.

Grant of Premises Licence for Boardmasters Festival

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a premises licence for the Boardmasters Festival, held annually at Trebelsue Farm, Newquay, TR8 4AN. The application sought to extend the festival's operating hours and increase permitted noise levels.

Applicant's Submission: The applicant's representative presented the case, highlighting extensive consultation with stakeholders and outlining proposed measures to mitigate noise and promote licensing objectives. They explained that the requested increase in decibel levels was modest and necessary for customer enjoyment, artist satisfaction, and the long-term sustainability of the event. The applicant also noted that the proposed changes were intended to help diversify the festival's audience and improve its competitive standing with other UK festivals. They stated that the proposed increase in decibel levels was an upper band, not a target, and that sound levels would be actively managed in real-time. The applicant also proposed a more managed stepped decline process for sound control after 11 pm, rather than a sudden drop-off, to improve customer and artist experience.

Responsible Authority Submission: A representative from Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the addition of Thursday to the application did not concern them, as noise is not a police consideration. They noted that the CCTV provided by Boardmasters historically was comprehensive and that the inclusion of a condition relating to CCTV for the current application had been agreed by the applicant.

Other Persons' Submissions: Six representatives from Other Persons attended and raised concerns, primarily relating to the Prevention of Public Nuisance licensing objective. Key concerns included:

• Increased Noise Levels: Objections were raised to the proposed increase in decibel levels, with concerns that this would exacerbate existing noise issues for local residents and businesses, particularly for holiday accommodation providers like Treloy Touring Park, which hosts many families with young children. It was argued that a 5dB increase is a significant rise in loudness and that the proposed levels were not justified by evidence.
• Extended Performance Days: The addition of Thursday as a day for audible music was opposed, with concerns that this would increase overall disturbance.
• Late-Night Noise Conditions: The wording of late-night noise conditions, described as not readily audible and discernible, was considered subjective and difficult to enforce.
• Monitoring and Enforcement: Questions were raised about the location and effectiveness of noise monitoring points, with a desire for multiple, receptor-led monitoring locations. Concerns were also expressed about the capacity of Cornwall Council's Environmental Health Officers to police the proposed extended performance periods.
• Perpetual Licence: The application for a perpetual licence was questioned, with concerns that it could limit future scrutiny and accountability.
• Comparison with Other Festivals: It was argued that other UK festivals of similar scale imposed stricter, more defined noise restrictions, particularly on later nights.

The Senior Lawyer advised that only two complaints had been received by Environmental Protection in relation to events since 2023, and no complaints had been received in 2025. Environmental Protection had attended the site in 2025 and found no breach of conditions.

Applicant's Final Submission: The applicant reiterated that the Sub-Committee should focus on the representations made and that there was substantial local support for the event. They highlighted that only two complaints had been received in the last two years and clarified that the proposed increase in decibels was just above conversation level, with specific increases to 65 dB until 11 pm and 55 dB after 11 pm. They asserted that experts and the authority were not of the opinion that the proposal would undermine licensing objectives.

Decision: The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the application for the Premises Licence for Boardmasters Festival, with the following additional conditions:

• Conditions agreed between the applicant and the Police regarding the provision of CCTV, as detailed on page 32 of the report.
• Any music between 01:00 – 04:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and on Sundays from 00:45 – 04:00, shall not be readily audible and discernible when assessed at the agreed monitoring locations.
• The applicants shall provide, upon request, to the Public Protection department of Cornwall Council, records of their noise monitoring at all agreed monitoring points.
• All measures contained within the Operating Schedule shall become conditions of the licence, and the event shall be run in accordance with the Event Safety Management Plan and its associated plans, as put forward by the applicant and agreed with the Responsible Authorities.

Reasons for the Decision: Members noted the comprehensive Event Management Plan and the lack of outstanding representations from Responsible Authorities. While there were representations from local councillors, Newquay Town Council, a Colan Parish Councillor, and other individuals, primarily concerning noise and the Prevention of Public Nuisance objective, the Sub-Committee considered that the proposed additional conditions, along with the existing Event Safety Management Plan and operating schedule, would alleviate concerns. They noted that the Public Protection department had no objection and had received few complaints in recent years. The Sub-Committee was aware that the licensing regime allows for the review of Premises Licences if licensing objectives are undermined, providing a safeguard against granting the licence in perpetuity. They were of the opinion that the proposed measures would promote the licensing objectives.