OKTOBERFEST may return if councillors grant it an alcohol licence.

But concerns have been raised about noise and how long the food and beer festival takes over The Level in Brighton.

Last year environmental protection officers received six complaints about noise from people living in the area.

Promoter Whiskey Bravo Productions received landowner’s permission for the event, subject to the licence, from Brighton and Hove City Council’s tourism, development and culture committee in November last year. But objections from residents and councillors mean the organiser has yet to learn whether the drinks licence will be granted.

The event is due to take place from Thursday, October 11, to Sunday, October 13, with a set up and take down period either side of it.

The council’s environmental health and licensing team has asked for a noise management plan to be finalised at least six weeks in advance, with a hotline for residents.

Neighbour Ian Scoones is unhappy about the time the festival is expected to take over the park and the noise.

He said: “The Level is a much-used public park in a highly residential area and the impact of removing the whole north lawn area from use has a negative impact on local users for the whole period of the application, plus the period of setting up and taking down the marquees.

“The noise generated by amplified music until 11pm is a major nuisance to local residents. Following last year’s festival there were numerous complaints about the excessive noise and disruption. It is clear that The Level is an inappropriate location for this event.”

St Peter’s and North Laine Green councillor Pete West raised concerns about continuing issues with street drinking at The Level.

He said: “The compression of this vital and heavily used open space by this event and the nature of it as a largely drink-related event will do nothing to help improve the safety of the park. I believe therefore that Ocktoberfest will be at odds with a number of the licensing objectives.”

The licensing panel will discuss the application on Tuesday.

Whisky Bravo boss Ian Baird said the company had employed specialist noise managers and satisfied environmental health objections. He said: “We put our hands up now and admit we could have done better last year and we’ve redesigned the event.”