The organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival have indicated to the council that they want to increase the capacity of the Festival to 89,999.
The Isle of Wight Act, brought in after the huge number of people attending the 1970 festival, means there’s a two stage application process – First the IW Act, then later, the License. The event organisers have submitted the IW Act application to the council.
Isle of Wight Act application
VB asked to see the application, but were told by the IWC press office that, “The Isle of Wight Act application is not a public document” despite it being referenced in this weeks council meeting. Why, wasn’t explained, but nothing new there.
The premises licence application under the Licensing Act 2003 will be applied for later – two months before the event, so expected to be in by 12th April.
John Giddings said he’d never need more than 70,000
We spoke to Cllr Geoff Lumley who had brought it up at the Full Council meeting this week (for once we weren’t able to cover it live), whose Pan ward is close to the Festival’s site, “At the licensing committee three years ago, when they wanted to increase the numbers to 70,000, which was too many. John Giddings (Festival organiser), as I recall, said he would never need more than 70,000 – and here we are with an application for 90,000.”
“Barry Abrahams (the Cabinet member responsible) said he understood that there would be concerns in Newport, particularly in the local area.
“I was just asking for assurances – a wide ranging consultation.
“20,000 people too many”
“My concerns are that this is 20,000 people too many.”
It’s understood that council officers are currently preparing the consultation for the event.
In our conversation with Geoff Lumley he added, “We’re not against the festival at all. We just think that it’s too big now for where it is.”
What do you think?
What do you think too many people, or the more the merrier?
Source: CP front page
