Plans for larger beer festival thrown out

Plans for almost 10,000 visitors to attend a Surrey festival have been thrown out after officers found safety measures "devoid of detail" raising fears of overcrowding.

The Oxted Beer Festival started in 2012 with nearly 5,000 people heading to Master Park each year.

Earlier this year organisers Events Runway applied to increase the allowed size of the festival from 6,000 guests to 9,999 people.

Tandridge District Council rejected this application claiming that "insufficient evidence" was provided on how the event would prevent crime and disorder, protect public safety, prevent public nuisance or protect children from harm.

The Trustees of Master Park had already confirmed that they would not allow the festival to go ahead in 2025 due to the damage caused to the park at this year's event.

Events Runway had outlined in its application how it would meet the licensing objectives.

This included security staff in hi-vis, searching people for confiscated items on entry, asking people to leave the premises quietly, and medical tents.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Darren Harfield told Tandridge District Council's (TDC) licensing committee on 4 December that the site designers were happy that the park was "more than capable" of holding a large capacity.

He highlighted that Events Runway had been considerate to residents' objections.

Despite these efforts, the committee said there was "little assurance" on how the increased capacity would potentially impact the surrounding residents.

Trustees had changed the allowed capacity of the site to 6,000 in April 2024 and this limit remains in place.

Neighbours have said Oxted village "cannot handle 24,000 people over three days" because of increased traffic, parking issues, and possible poor behaviour, adding that it would be difficult to police.

Events Runway has been approached for comment.

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