Plans for field festival in Stanmer Park met by strong protests

12:40pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

A muddy Stanmer Park after Shakedown last year A muddy Stanmer Park after Shakedown last year

Campaigners will present a petition to councillors to try to block plans for a music festival at a popular park.

A total of 710 people have signed a letter pleading with Brighton and Hove City Council to refuse permission for this year’s Shakedown Festival in Stanmer Park.

Last year’s event, on October 6, left the park a mudbath, with locals claiming that the site is yet to recover.

The petition will be presented to the council’s economic development and culture committee on Thursday, January 10 with a final decision on whether the festival will be approved due by the end of the month.

Protesters are already concerned that organisers plan to add an extra day to the event for 2013.

Jamie Hooper, from the Friends of Stanmer Park, said: “The council’s attitude is ‘Well it’s ok, it will all get sorted out in the wash and we can always get money from the organisers later’.

“But that’s not right. The site is no better than it was in October when they left.

“I know we have had appalling weather, but I haven’t seen anyone making any effort to get the ground back to the way it was.”

'Negative reaction'

Jenny Lyon, who will present the petition to the committee, claimed that residents were assured that once American Express Community Stadium was built there would be no further festivals held in the park.

Related links

The council confirmed that organisers have applied to hold the festival over the weekend of September 28 and 29.

In a report to the committee, officers said: “Shakedown has attracted some negative reaction, post event, due to the condition of the park.

“The organisers continue to work with City Parks and their own contractors to reinstate the park to its pre event condition as soon as possible, bearing the cost of this reinstatement.

Wet summer

“2012 was an extraordinary wet year with parks and open spaces across the country experiencing similar experiences.”

Shakedown said the 17,000 people last year contributed around £250,000 directly to the Brighton and Hove economy and a further £250,000 indirectly to city businesses such as hotels and after-party venues.

Geoffrey Bowden, the chair of the council committee, said that they were “continuing discussions with all interested parties” over this year’s event, adding he expected an agreement to be made by “the end of the month”.

Talking point: How concerned are you about music festivals taking place in Stanmer Park? Should the park continue to be used as an outdoor venue in the summer, or kept as a haven for wildlife?

Share your views by commenting below or submit your opinion to The Argus letters pages by emailing letters@theargus.co.uk

See the latest news headlines from The Argus:

More news from The Argus

Follow @brightonargus

Daily Echo on Facebook - facebook.com/southerndailyecho Like us on Facebook

Google+ Add us to your circles on Google+

Comments(19)

NickBrt says...
12:56pm Tue 8 Jan 13

That plan would discriminate against travellers who are, after all, the rightful users of that park.

Report this post »

Jetsamandflotsam says...
1:08pm Tue 8 Jan 13

I had assumed that the shakedown promoters had gone bust leading to the muddy mess they left behind still not having being sorted out.
They can't blame the weather!
It is such a shame to see Stanmer Park in its current poor state it has really gone down hill over the last few years

Report this post »

Mr_Tom says...
1:12pm Tue 8 Jan 13

why don't the hold it at the AMEX? surely this would actually have some toilets too..
I attended the festival and it was a shambles.. the toilet lines were so long it was quicker for me to go home!
and what a stupid time of year to have a festival anyway..

Report this post »

aat99 says...
1:34pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Stick all these events at the AMEX .... then it will be easier to clean up etc etc ... rather than ruin our parks and seafront with all the damage and broken glasss .....

wasn't this one of the selling points of the AMEX that it could be used for this type of event as well ????

Report this post »

9 of us says...
1:40pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Ironic that the AMEX had major opposition of spoiling the views from the Souths Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Stanmer Park is within the South Downs and yet there appears to be little or no concern shown here.

Report this post »

Hoarder12345444 says...
3:13pm Tue 8 Jan 13

I have to agree here, Stanmer park is one of my favrourite Brighton parks and was ruined at shakedown. I went to it and was a bit rubbish anyway. You had people Pi***ing everywhere you could see, rubbish strewn everywhere and loads of mud. Not been there since actually, might go there and see how it fares now. I suspect it's still a mess. It will grow back in the spring but I don't think they should have it there. Whilst its a good location, most festival goers are pill popping freaks with no regard for anyone. As for the cheap cans of cider being sold at £4 a can, that was disgusting. I will refuse to go just because of that.

Report this post »

Phani Tikkala says...
4:09pm Tue 8 Jan 13

It contributed half a million quid to the B&H economy? PMSL

Report this post »

bruce_ says...
4:43pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Alleged contributions to the local economy won't do as a justification, if it is correct that last year's festival had so many undesirable features -- and above all, left the park in a bad state. Yes, what is the Amex stadium for, apart from football of course, if not for such events? (Otherwise, why not use the Pavilion Gardens, or at least the Level? That would make money for B & H too, wouldn't it?)

Report this post »

sussexguy says...
5:45pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Well, slavery was profitable, but that did not make it right.

Report this post »

george smith says...
5:54pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Brighton parks are too often out of use to ordinary local council tax payers, be it travellers or events. Could parks just no be parks, not events arenas or sheep farms?

Report this post »

pekkers says...
6:26pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Or Withdean....... Easy to convert for a gig......

Report this post »

Here we go again says...
7:00pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Here we go again says.
Why oh why does a so called Green Council allow Stanmer Park, Brighton's Jewel in it crown to be repeatedly trashed as it was last Oct following a festival. It is a designated Nature Reserve the reason given by Brighton & Hove Council for doing that was that by designating it as a Nature Reserve it would have greater protection!!!!
If that is what our councils call protection I dread to think what isn't protection.
Oh Evening Argus just a small correction The Friends of Stanmer Park no longer exists.

Report this post »

Postman_Pat says...
9:28am Wed 9 Jan 13

For those suggesting the Amex, due to planning regulations attached to the stadium there is a limit of how many concerts can be held there a year. 2 I believe.

Report this post »

saltdeanres says...
9:53am Wed 9 Jan 13

Why not hold these festivals in a field where's there's no damage done - why hold them in the park, it just doesn't make sense. Even now months later the park looks scruffy.

Report this post »

saltdeanres says...
9:53am Wed 9 Jan 13

Why not hold these festivals in a field where's there's no damage done - why hold them in the park, it just doesn't make sense. Even now months later the park looks scruffy.

Report this post »

Thetruthhurts101 says...
10:08am Wed 9 Jan 13

I take it all old people signed the petition!!! There are not many festivals of this kind in brighton

Report this post »

Cambright says...
10:55am Wed 9 Jan 13

A half a million pound boost to the local economy in these tough times is no bad thing, and a little aesthetic damage is a small price to pay. However I don't think due consideration was given to the fact that this was Brighton green diamond.

Report this post »

B Town Gal says...
11:29am Wed 9 Jan 13

It's quite apparent reading these comments that you didn't attend Shakedown as you are either too old or too boring.
Shakedown is just what brighton needs. I have been to both the events and they have been fantastic.
There is of course still some tweaking to be done but this event is in the infant stages and has a lot of potential.
I also attended a few events at Hyde park this year and that was also water logged and muddy but we have just had the second wettest year on record and most parks are looking shoddy.
I am looking forward to Shakedown 2013 immensely and hope this petition doesn't impact on it.

Report this post »

Here we go again says...
12:03pm Wed 9 Jan 13

I do think that some people have missed the point.
NO ONE HAS SAID BRIGHTON SHOULD NOT HAVE POP FESTVALS
JUST THAT A MORE SUITABLE VENUE SHOULD BE FOUND.
Brighton is fortunate to have the Amex and if planning regs are an obstacle
Brighton Council owns most of the surrounding famland.
The farmer near the Devils Dyke seems to diversify in the summer months, so why not approach him/her.
Stanmer Park was given to the people as a public park in 1952/3 therefore it must remain open to all park users. Last year it was closed to those not attending the festival.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree