Plans for glamping and festivals at Rotherham site face objections

SME Environmental Holdings Ltd has applied for a premises licence for a six-acre outdoor event space within a seven-acre mixed use site off Bassingthorpe Lane.

The licence application covers live and recorded music, outdoor cinema, plays corporate events, late-night refreshment and alcohol sales. Events would take place between May and September on up to 16 occasions per year.

The application states that the wider site is also intended to include camping, glamping and outdoor sports such as football and padel.

However, those used are described as operating independently and are not part of the premises-licence application.

Applicants state there would be parking for around 200 cars and a single entrance and exit 15 metres wide, to accommodate emergency vehicles.

The applicant says the site would be used for community, sporting and cultural events, with risk assessments, event management plans, stewarding, traffic controls, noise monitoring and Challenge 25 checks in place.

The company say the venue could become a regional events hub, supporting local artists, businesses and communities.

However, South Yorkshire Police has urged the council’s licensing board to refuse the application, and has objected on the grounds of public safety and ‘prevention of public nuisance’.

SYP has cited concerns about the narrow, unlit rural Bassingthorpe Lane access, lack of pavements and proximity to the Victrex chemical facility, which is subject to COMAH emergency planning controls.

The force states in its objection: “The application anticipates attendance of several thousand people, directing patrons, many of whom may have consumed alcohol, onto such a road presents a significant risk of accidents, injury, and harm.”

Ward councillors Linda Beresford and Rob Elliot have also opposed the application, saying residents fear noise, traffic, parking problems and safety risks if large crowds leave the site late at night.

The council has also received 23 separate resident representations, made by 25 people.

Concerns raised about horses, livestock, crop fire risks, emergency vehicle access and the impact of music carrying across open fields.

There was also one written representation in support of the application, with a resident stating that the proposal could provide a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for local summer events and family days out.

In response, the applicant states that many of the objections relate to the adopted highway, which is maintained by the council and outside their control. They say any risks can be managed through proportionate licence conditions.

The licensing sub-committee is due to consider the application on Tuesday, July 14.