A Stockport farm which holds music festivals has won a licence challenge despite claims of ‘drug taking’ and ‘public urination’ from attendees.

Whitebottom Farm, in Compstall, saw off an application to review its premises licence over public safety and public nuisance grounds, after former Stockport councillor Becky Senior said local residents had experienced anti-social behaviour from festival-goers.

Ms Senior, who used to represent the Marple North ward, told the licensing sub-committee on May 15 that she regularly heard complaints from neighbours relating to people attending events at the farm while she was an elected councillor, although she was unable to give an exact number of her casework.

She explained that she herself had picked up litter left in Etherow Country Park after events at Whitebottom Farm, and had visited Compstall while events were taking place to see some of the problems first hand.

Her application submitted to the council claimed there had been ‘a number of complaints to councillors about drug taking’, as well as ‘damage to property (hanging baskets etc), disturbance from shouting and doorbell ringing, as well as public urination incidents.’

Ms Senior told the licensing sub-committee: “I am grateful for the efforts of the farm and the management consultant to ameliorate some of the conditions.

"But the persistence, albeit low level, of complaints that were received - certainly throughout my tenure as a councillor in Marple North, by residents in Compstall of anti-social behaviour, of a number of types, - and then particularly the management of traffic flow, blue light routes, and the impact on residential amenity for residents within Compstall, I just believe, needs an evaluation.

“I think the farm and the festivals are a welcome thing, I am just not necessarily convinced of the amount of time given over to festivals, the duration of the festivals, and their proximity to a small residential village which has one road in and one road out, and therefore becomes utterly congested and difficult for residents when the festivals occur.”

Montagu Street in Compstall (Image - Google Maps)

She added that there is a “significant amount of mistrust” between the local community and the farm.

Karen Dyson, who was representing Whitebottom Farm during the meeting, said the allegations put forward were “not supported with any factual evidence.”

She also accused Ms Senior of trying to smear the farm owner’s reputation by highlighting the arrest of a previous farm tenant for ‘class A drug dealing’ as stated in her application.

Karl Hancock – who owns Whitebottom Farm – previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he has tried to engage with the community over any complaints.

But Ms Dyson said Ms Senior ignored opportunities to discuss the allegations before the licensing review.

She added: “I’ve invited you twice outside of this review to speak and you’ve just blanked me. We’re always open to dialogue. I don’t think this review does anybody any good really.

“We can all be guilty of living in an echo chamber at times, and she has refused to look at things from both sides, even though she said she’s impartial. We’ve extended two invitations to discuss her concerns outside of this review which she has not accepted.

Moovin Festival is one of the summer events which takes place nearby (Image - Moovin Festival)

“Our commitment remains towards a collaborative approach in addressing any allegations, her refusal to engage with us hinders a cooperative approach, which is advocated in the council’s licensing policy.

“The decision by Becky to create this review has created more mistrust and undermined our collaborative efforts to uphold the licensing objectives.

“The review has taken its toll on Mr Hancock and his family, and has brought a great deal of stress and upset. The damage to the business reputation is substantial.”

Councillors on the licensing sub-committee were given the chance to question Ms Senior and Ms Dyson before making a decision.

After hearing from both sides, they decided to impose no further conditions on the farm, due to a “lack of new evidence” that the licence conditions were not being upheld.

They noted the “enthusiasm of the premises licence holders to engage with the community” and take steps to uphold the licensing objectives.

Councillors also welcomed that “both parties see this as an opportunity to establish dialogue” over the allegations and the relationship between the villagers and the farm.

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter