Residents hit out at events plan for park

York Council is set to debate whether to grant an outdoor entertainments license for Rawcliffe Country Park which would allow plays, films, live music and dance to be staged at the site from 9am until 10pm or 11pm each day.

However, residents have hit out at the proposals over fears the “wide-ranging” license does not specify the scale of the events or pin down specific times.

They have also voiced concerns over the impact of noise, traffic and anti-social behaviour, and a petition containing over 100 signatures has been handed to the council, along with a host of objection letters.

Nicola Moorcroft, clerk to Rawcliffe Parish Council, which has objected to the plans, said: “It is less than 100 metres from the boundary of the park to the closest home. We are also concerned about the amount of noise and traffic and there’s a history of anti-social behaviour in the area.

“The description of the events that might be there and the times are very wide-ranging. The council has not specified what the license is for. Residents are concerned they could have Leeds Festival opposite their houses.”

Dave Meigh, head of parks and open spaces at York Council, said the plans were part of a wider scheme to hold events at six of the main parks and open spaces across the city.

“At present, there are no firm plans to hold particular events at Rawcliffe, but the application will give us the option to hold events for the benefit of York residents,” he said.