A HUGE dance music festival could welcome 2,500 revellers to Stratford Armouries this summer.
A proposal has been put to hold the ‘Balter Festival’ at the greenfield site on Gospel Oak Lane in Snitterfield.
It would feature three main arenas, four smaller stages and one outdoor venue. There would also be a public camping area, crew camping space and car park.
If given the green light the festival – which only admits those over the age of 18 – would be held from June 2 to June 6.
Organisers are looking to serve alcohol until 4am and food around the clock.
Dance music from hip hop and drum and bass would be played until 3am.
Previous events at other locations around the country have been dubbed a ‘jungle rave’ and this year’s offering is set to feature artists including Los Albertos, Carny Villains and Hellfish.
Elias Cole, putting the proposal to Stratford District Council which will need to give the green-light, said: “The organisers intend to establish and maintain good relations with the local community, for example by working with local companies as much as possible and offering discounted tickets to residents living nearby, to help further the positive impact the event will have on the area.”
But council officers are not so sure the event would be accepted locally.
Environmental protection officer Paul Reid said: “I have concerns with regards to uncontrolled regulated entertainment from this proposed festival, especially as the applicant intends to have regulated entertainment outside on five stages until 3am Friday to Saturday and until 23.59pm on Sunday.
“Once the traffic noise has decayed, which is likely to be around midnight in this location, the impact that entertainment noise will have on existing homes will be considerable, as such I have major concerns from a noise point of view.”
Councillors are set to discuss the proposals on January 16 at a licensing meeting.
