Crow Park’s Set to Sizzle with Festivals – Despite Local Grumbles
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Well, grab your wellies and your picnic blankets, because Crow Park in Derbyshire is about to become your new favourite festival spot! Yes, you heard that right – the historic estate of Melbourne Hall has been given the green light to host up to 5,000 revellers for a three-day music festival every year, and it’s causing quite the stir.
On Friday, South Derbyshire District Council gave a big thumbs up to Raymond Gubbay Ltd (yep, they’re owned by Sony Music) to throw an annual bash at Crow Park. While some locals are worried about noise and parking chaos, the council’s licensing panel decided that, overall, it’s time to let the good times roll.
Not Another Download Festival, Promise!
Roger Lowe, speaking for the event organisers, was quick to calm any fears. “Look,” he said, “this is no Download Festival. Download’s for 120,000 headbangers, this is for 4,999 people looking to enjoy some music and maybe a comedy night or two. The vibe is going to be much chiller, and we’re keeping the volume within the 65-decibel limit. Think mellow music and laughs – not mosh pits and headbanging!”
And while some of the neighbours weren’t exactly thrilled – one worried Melbourne resident pointed out that the festival’s capacity is nearly the same as the entire population of the village – Mr Lowe was quick to highlight the positives. “People are going to be spending money in the shops and pubs – that’s good news for local businesses!”
A Few Traffic Jitters
Of course, parking and traffic are still hot topics. The plan is to have two car parks with a total of 1,170 spaces set up in nearby fields, with traffic management handled by the same pros who look after Download Festival – so hopefully, things won’t descend into a parking nightmare.
Some locals, like David Mill, argued that road closures and diversions would just move the problem around. Meanwhile, Dot Devey-Smith pointed out that visitors might struggle with the area’s narrow roads, saying, “You can’t force people to park where you want them to.”
The Green Light – With Conditions
Despite the concerns, the licensing panel said they’d weighed everything up. Their final say? The event’s a go, but with a few ground rules. The organisers have to keep locals in the loop about each festival, and they’ll need to submit detailed traffic plans at least a month in advance.
So, Melbourne Hall is officially on the festival map. Watch this space for updates – and if you’re in the area, maybe it’s time to start planning that festival outfit.
