A North Yorkshire visitor attraction has been granted a licence to play music and serve alcohol despite concerns the venue could become a “mini-Glastonbury Festival”.
Councillors have given permission for Monk Park Farm, near Thirsk, to hold events for up to 5,000 people.
The premises licence means the attraction can play music and serve alcohol from 10am to 10pm on up to 250 days a year.
Monk Park Farm general manager Mark Navin told the North Yorkshire Council licensing committee today (MONDAY) that the application would allow the business in a controlled, responsible way.
He added: “We want to diversify our offer, create new seasonal events and attract new audiences, all while safeguarding the welfare of our animals, maintaining peace with our neighbours and protecting the farm’s reputation as a safe, family-focused venue.
“The purpose of this license is to expand the program of events throughout the year, typically at Easter, summer, Halloween and Christmas, along with the occasional themed evenings that bring people together in a manageable setting.”
The licence allows the venue to sell alcohol from a mobile bar and in its gift shop.
Mr Navin said the attraction had trialled a small number of events using temporary licences this year.
He added: “All of these events were ticketed and prebooked, with no reports of anti-social behaviour, noise complaints or welfare concerns.
“Evidence suggests an average of less than one alcoholic drink per person was consumed on the adult nights and less than half of this again on the family evening events.”
Several people spoke at the meeting at County Hall in Northallerton in opposition to the application.
Councillor Alyson Baker, whose division includes several villages near to Monk Park, said she was concerned about the “future direction of travel” for the venue.
“There are those of us who can remember when Lightwater Valley was a farm and Flamingo Land was a zoo. I’m concerned that this application is the start of a slippery slope which will have a huge impact on the communities I represent.”
As well as objections from local residents, visitors to the area who own or rent holiday homes and caravans at parks near the attraction also filed concerns about the licence.
Several people claimed the licence would allow the creation of a “mini-Glastonbury festival”, while the meeting also heard worries about terrorism and illegal drugs being consumed at the attraction.
Simon Catterall, of legal firm Jacksons, who represents a group of around 40 local residents and lodge owners, told the meeting that the proposed application would allow activities that met the criteria of being a public nuisance in area made famous by author James Herrit.
He added: “Most of the group, who I’ve been asked to speak for, don’t know each other. They’re completely diverse. Their only connection is that they live very close next door to the applicant and they’re all saying the same thing.
“They come to this place for the unique peace and quiet, and to get away from everything, and they all said that these proposed licensing activities into activities will materially interfere with the use and enjoyment of their home.”
The three-member licensing panel granted the licence, however.
A condition was put in place that a ‘noise hotline’ be set up to allow local residents to report complaints during events.
The applicant was told they must also warn local parish councils about any events they plan to hold.
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