Plans for the Existance Festival, a psytrance music event expected to attract up to 2,000 attendees, have been approved despite ongoing fears about wildfire dangers in the Cotswolds area. The festival, organised by Wilde Dancing Ltd, is scheduled to take place from 3 to 6 September at Boldridge Farm in Long Newnton.
The licence was granted by Cotswold District Council on 19 August, following opposition from over 70 local residents. The approval permits live and recorded music, film screenings until 2am on three nights, as well as late-night refreshment and alcohol sales.
Given recent Government warnings about heightened wildfire risks nationally, residents and local officials remain deeply concerned about fire safety measures at the event. Licence conditions prohibit fireworks, pyrotechnics, open fires, and barbecues on the premises during the festival. Although smoking will be allowed, signage will instruct attendees to dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials safely.
In response to concerns about exceptionally dry conditions, the licence mandates an independent fire inspection prior to the festival, to be conducted by a qualified authority such as Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service.
However, Long Newnton Parish Council chair Di Thomas has highlighted significant safety issues, including the presence of only one emergency exit located on the southern side of the site. There is no existing emergency exit to the north, and the sole exit route overlaps with the access path for fire engines, which must travel over a mile to refill water supplies due to a lack of onsite water sources.
Ms Thomas emphasised the risks posed by straw bales planned for use as part of a sound barrier, given the flat topography which could facilitate rapid fire spread. She also expressed concern about reliance on the Fosseway road as an emergency exit, describing the area as “an overgrown tinderbox” that could allow fire to quickly reach nearby locations including Kemble and Cotswold Airport.
Local resident Judy Pratt recalled a recent fire at the festival site that required three fire engines to respond. She noted the scarcity of water at the location, resulting in fire crews needing to refill from a remote lake. She characterised the surrounding farmland as “a tinder box” with dense thickets and woods, warning that a blaze could devastate neighbouring farms and escalate further.
Ms Pratt voiced disbelief at the licence approval, stating, “It’s putting a festival ahead of people’s lives. The fires are a real risk. I don’t know what the Government would think of it all with the recent warnings.”
The festival organisers acknowledged the fire safety concerns during last week’s meeting, confirming that they have employed a professional safety team and developed comprehensive plans. These include deploying staff, security personnel, and stewards to patrol the site continuously during the event.
Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service has been approached for comment regarding the festival and associated safety measures.