A psytrance music festival in the Cotswold countryside has been given approval despite significant concerns from local residents about noise, traffic, public nuisance, and fears it will interfere with a nearby wedding.
The Existance Festival, expected to attract approximately 1,500 attendees, is scheduled to be held near Tetbury from 3 to 6 September. Originally planned for June at Boldridge Farm on Crudwell Lane in Long Newnton, the event was postponed before the date change prompted objections.
Cotswold District Council’s licensing sub-committee met on 19 August to consider the new premises licence application submitted by Wilde Dancing Ltd. The proposals include live and recorded music and film screenings until 2am on three nights, plus late-night refreshments and alcohol sales.
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Ahead of the meeting, over 70 individuals formally objected to the festival, voicing worries particularly about a wedding at the nearby Holy Trinity Church on 5 September and the subsequent reception taking place in an open-sided marquee in the garden of Ashley Manor.
A Lodwick, representing the wedding party, stated, “This event has been planned for 18 months with significant time, effort, and funds already committed. Our wedding brings together family, friends, and community, relying solely on locally sourced food, flowers, staff, and infrastructure. We were very distressed to see the festival organisers announced new September dates immediately after cancelling June, with no consultation or outreach to our community.”
Despite these concerns, the festival organisers highlighted that they have employed professionals to develop a comprehensive sound management plan aimed at minimising noise disturbance. They assured the committee they would respond promptly to complaints and reduce volume levels if necessary to comply with World Health Organization noise guidelines. Furthermore, they expressed willingness to suspend activity on one of the stages during the wedding speeches.
Solicitor Rebecca Lowe, representing Wilde Dancing Ltd, acknowledged the anxiety surrounding the wedding date but emphasised that the event site is approximately one mile from the church and reception venues. “My client has engaged with the family holding the wedding and understands their particular concerns around the timing of speeches,” she added.
Additional safety and logistical issues were raised by public speakers during the meeting. Di Thomas, chair of Long Newnton Parish Council, criticised the late submission of the licence application - less than three months before the event - conflicting with council guidance. She also questioned the adequacy of water provisions for the camping festival, suggesting that between 100,000 and 130,000 litres would be necessary while organisers planned to bring in tens of thousands of litres via tankers.
Concerns over fire safety were also voiced amid the national severe alert for wildfires. Ms Thomas recalled a previous field fire near the site requiring four fire engines, highlighting a lack of emergency access to the north side of the venue.
Cllr Nikki Ind (Independent, Tetbury East and Rural) spoke against the festival due to road safety issues, citing the narrowness of Crudwell Lane which accommodates farm vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders. She questioned whether emergency vehicles could easily reach the site during the event.
In response, Ms Lowe confirmed that while earlier application submissions are recommended, the timing was not mandatory. She stated that council officers were satisfied with the proposed water plans. On fire safety, the organisers assured the presence of a professional safety team, security personnel, and stewards patrolling the site continuously.
After approximately an hour of deliberation, the licensing committee decided to grant the premises licence with specific conditions attached to address the concerns raised.