EMOTIONS ran high as villagers’ voiced their concerns over a proposed dance music festival of up to 1,500 revellers on the edge of the Forest of the Dean.

Parishioners were told that GemFest was not an agenda item up for discussion at Walford Parish Council’s meeting.

But due to the numbers who turned up, councillors agreed that the strength of feeling about the event at Great Howle Farm between June 14-16, should be discussed.

The organisers of GemFest – which will feature drum and bass, garage, house, and disco music until 3am – .have applied to Herefordshire Council for a temporary events licence.

But the parish council were not informed by the county’s licensing department, which will rule on the application on June 7.

One concerned landowner said: “People wouldn’t be far wrong in thinking this is a rave in all but name. My land is adjacent to where the proposed festival is being held.

“But because of the way the land lies, it would be easy for those in the know to sneak in. I believe that a number of rogues would take advantage of this.

“This festival would no-doubt attract unwanted people like dealers. This is not aimed at people living in the local countryside, but those from the cities.”

Some villagers also voiced their concerns, saying a festival organiser’s 21st birthday event last year on nearby land, attracted 300 revellers.

Parishioners said the noise “boomed through the valley” from a sound system that was over a mile away, and feared what the noise level would be like from an event that was much closer.

David Freeman said: “The proposed 1,500 tickets is likely to be exceeded tenfold, resulting in the area being swamped by cars and tents. I expect that people living in this area will have problems getting in and out of their roads. This is just a disaster.

“I’m not against festivals, but it’s just this one, as it’s in a totally inappropriate location with its own access issues.” 

The meeting was told that there was a public footpath running through the proposed site close to an Iron Age fort.

Another parishioner said: “I suspect most of the people sitting in the public gallery are against this festiva... We are just a small fraction of those who live locally who don’t want to see this event go ahead.

“This is a massive issue as it would more than double the size of the local population over that weekend. There are so many other issues that need addressing before an event like this is held.

“Is there anything this council can do to put pressure on the licensing authority?”

Cllr Bridget Vine said: “Objections to GemFest, as far as the licensing of the event, can only be raised on issues concerning the health and safety aspect.

“As this is a one-off event, as it is at present, it is likely to have lots of problems and people will write to Herefordshire Council and the authority will have to reconsider any repeat application in the future. It is very difficult to stop a one-off event.”

Parish council chairman Cllr Joanne Akers said the council is not a statutory consultee for licensing issues and added: “Consequently we were not told about this festival until the notices went up... We have no authority to formally comment to Herefordshire Council.”

Another voice from the audience said: “This is a money-making exercise for the organisers. The amount of alcohol allowed on site will be limited. The bars and food outlets will be making all the profits with virtually nothing being spent locally.” 

The council subsequently voted in favour of writing to Herefordshire Council objecting to the licensing application, which will be heard by the local authority on Friday, June 7.