The Licensing Sub-Committee of Wandsworth Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new time-limited premises licence for a two-day music festival on Tooting Common. The meeting agenda also included the formal appointment of a chair.

Country on the Common Festival Application

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new, time-limited, two-day premises licence for the Country on the Common festival, to be held at the Lido Field on Tooting Common. The applicant, Enable Leisure & Culture, sought permission for the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment, including plays, films, live and recorded music, and performances of dance. The proposed hours for these activities were from 12:00 to 22:00/22:30 on Saturday and 12:00 to 21:00/21:30 on Sunday, for a single weekend event between May and September 2026.

The report pack indicated that while no representations were received from responsible authorities, three objections were lodged by other persons. These objections raised concerns regarding public nuisance due to noise, potential for crime and disorder due to insufficient police resources, and public safety issues related to managing large crowds. One representation, while not objecting, emphasised the importance of continuous noise monitoring and robust public safety plans involving the police.

The application proposed a maximum capacity of 7,500 attendees per day. A comprehensive list of proposed conditions was included in the report pack, covering aspects such as event-specific conditions, admission policies, CCTV, incident logs, Event Safety Management Plans (ESMPs), personal licence holders, security and stewarding, risk assessments, conditions of entry, staff training, noise management, waste disposal, and the use of glassware. The applicant also proposed a Challenge 25 scheme for alcohol sales and measures for the protection of children from harm, including an admission policy requiring under-18s to be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over.

A detailed Noise Management Strategy was also provided, outlining the approach to managing noise from the event. This strategy included predicted receiver levels at nearby residential areas, sound system design considerations, monitoring procedures, and a protocol for responding to noise complaints. The strategy aimed to ensure that noise levels would be managed to prevent public nuisance, with independent monitoring and reporting to the Local Authority.

The report pack also detailed the applicant's commitment to various licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm, through a series of proposed conditions and operational plans.