Bristol Dance Festival Canceled Amid Complaints of Torturous Noise

Cancellation of the Bristol dance festival follows local complaints about noise levels, deemed torturous by residents.

Festival Cancellation Overview

A much-anticipated dance festival has been scrapped for the third consecutive year due to mounting complaints from local residents. The Goa Cream Festival, which was set to take place at Yewtree Farm near Thornbury, just north of Bristol, was expected to draw crowds for its ninth annual run.

South Gloucestershire councillors have rejected the festival's plans to occur from September 12 to September 14, citing discussions with the council’s environmental health team and Avon and Somerset Police, who supported the cancellation.

Residents Speak Out

One particularly upset resident expressed their discontent in a letter to the police, describing the “non-stop heavy bass music” as “almost inhumane and a form of torture.” Their sentiments echoed the frustrations of many others in the community.

Environmental health officer Florence Fisher revealed at a recent council meeting that the previous year's festival resulted in 11 formal complaints from nearby residents. She criticized the documentation provided by the organizers, stating that they were only given “numbers scribbled on pieces of paper” and substandard screenshots of equipment readings.

“The noise had a profound effect on me and my family,” shared a local resident during discussions, illustrating the struggle faced by those living near the festival venue.

Concerns Over Noise Levels

At the council meeting, police licensing officer Wes Hussey discussed further complaints from residents who claimed that the music's volume not only disturbed their peace but also caused physical disturbances such as shaking windows and houses. The local community’s grievances are significant, as many residents reported headaches and severe disruptions during the festival last year.

Proposed Solutions from Organizers

In a bid to address the concerns, festival organizer Piers Ciappara mentioned several measures taken to mitigate noise issues. He stated that last year’s festival involved amateur noise monitoring, but this year they had enlisted a professional sound acoustic engineer to ensure compliance with noise regulations.

“Last year we only had handwritten notes and photographs because the week after the event, my colleague who had the sound system had a bad accident,” said Ciappara. “This year we have a professional team with us.”

Ciappara also highlighted that the festival generally attracts an older audience, many of whom bring their children. He emphasized that the event contributes positively to the community by raising funds for local organizations, including Bristol Suicide Prevention and Sharpness Lifeboat Station.

To further alleviate noise complaints, he suggested altering the orientation of the speakers to face away from residential areas and potentially reducing the hours for music and alcohol sales during the festival.

Conclusion

The decision to cancel the Goa Cream Festival reflects a growing concern among residents regarding noise pollution and its impact on their quality of life. It raises an important question about how organizers can balance the joy of music festivals with the rights and needs of local communities. How do you feel about festival noise in residential areas?

FAQs:

• What led to the cancellation of the Goa Cream Festival? The festival was canceled due to repeated complaints from local residents regarding noise levels, which they described as torturous.
• How many complaints were made against the festival last year? There were 11 formal complaints made by residents during the festival last year.
• What solutions did the festival organizers propose? Organizers suggested changing speaker orientation and reducing music and alcohol sales hours to minimize noise disturbances.
• What community benefits does the festival provide? The festival raises funds for important local organizations such as Bristol Suicide Prevention and Sharpness Lifeboat Station.
• How does the festival's audience demographic look? The Goa Cream Festival typically attracts an older audience, with many attendees bringing their children.

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