New licence means Quarry concerts could get bigger names
Tuesday 6th July 2010, 10:52AM BST.
Noise limits at Shrewsbury’s Quarry can be increased after a new licence for the park was approved – paving the way for bigger headline concert acts.
Shrewsbury Town Council applied for a new licence for the public park in the town centre with no restriction on noise following huge support from music fans. And licensing authority Shropshire Council has now approved the application.
It has been approved with no specific noise level in place as the decibel limit will be set for each event individually.
In the past, concerns have been raised that big-name acts such as Status Quo would not play in Shrewsbury because of the 65-decibels restriction.
The new licence gives the town council permission to hold a maximum of 10 outdoor music events each year and it must take precautions to ensure residents will not be unreasonably disturbed during the events.
Delighted
Sound levels will be agreed on an event by event basis following consultation with the licensing authority, statutory consultees and relevant officials.
Helen Ball, clerk of the town council, today said: “We are delighted that the amendment has been made to the licence. It means the council will be able to attract a wider array of performers bringing real vitality to the town. It will also help the council to provide more cultural variety.
“People will not have to travel far to see performers, so that will help the environment and everyone is a winner. There are still robust procedures that the council has to abide by and discussions will be held before each event, which will be judged on a case by case basis.”
Councillor Dean Carroll, a town councillor who put a motion for the issue to be looked at again before the full authority agreed to apply for a new licence, said: “This is fantastic news. It represents a triumph for common sense.
“While we would hope that larger acts, attracting larger crowds, would be attracted to come to the Quarry, we don’t want to ruin the lives of people living near the Quarry. It would be in moderation.”
By Sam Pinnington
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First the back pedalling, now for the damage limitation or are great bands queuing up to play here?
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One in the face for the all pwerfull STCRA!
Ha!!!!
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Excellent news for ALL residents of Shrewsbury… The STCRA’s lack of comment or leave to appeal speaks volumes.
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At last! Will they open the quarry up for more events too? The Shed Severn gig didn’t take up much room, unlike the flower show which closes off the whole of the park. I hope we get more of the same…but louder.
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Good point, Observer.
Normally they are straight on here spouting off their narrow opinions…
What’s up STCRA? Sulking? Or down the lawyers?
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Andy.
Do grow up. The STRCA are probably unconcerned by this development.
All thanks to this key line…..
“the decibel limit will be set for each event individually.”
This news is a gesture from the council. Not a promise. But progress little by little.
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“The STRCA are probably unconcerned by this development”
- unlikely Peter. They’ve raised many concerns in the past and will be sure to chip in to hamper individual events at every available opportunity in the future. It’s really down to the council now to have the courage of their convictions and consider all the tax payers in the town not just the STCRA. In doing so, they will be entitled to their fair share of praise for revitalising the town centre area and facilitating the enjoyment of The Quarry FOR EVERYBODY.
Until recently, we were the only town in the country with a blanket noise restriction. This has gone and believe me, as someone who has lived here all their life, that’s a pretty big step in the right direction for Shrewsbury :-)
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From your rhetoric Peter are we to summise you are a member of the aforementioned group?
No matter what a minority might think, the majority are pleased that common-sense has prevailed and this out-of-date restriction has been removed.
I’m afraid the STCRA have alienated themselves in such a way that their input is no longer welcome by the majority of Shrewsbury town residents and the greater population of Shrewsbury.
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Why so touchy, Peter?
This stops them having a blanket ban on events in this public place, that is a cause for celebration.
And they were quick enough on here to shout others down every time this has been mentioned, so why not this time?
Or are you suggesting some machievellian plan is afoot in the background?
I am sure that 65 decibels will not be set as a limit on any music event in future, as that was way too low, other posters in the past have compared that level of noise to a hairdryer or domestic vacuum cleaner, clearly not appropriate to an outdoor music event. Without this blanket clause they will not get similar restrictions in the future, so I for one am a happy bunny.
Try being positive, you will find life much more enjoyable without that black cloud you exude!
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Peter, Andy is right, nothing from the STCRA in ages. They have in the past commented on everything, but since people have started to make a stand against their “no noise in the town centre’, attitude, they’ve said nothing.
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Perhaps they donèt want to add to the noice (ha ha ha)
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Quote from 20th May Shropshire Star:
[But Helen Ball, town clerk, today said the application had been withdrawn because the process to change the existing licence would cost the authority as much as £2,000.
Dr Alan Shrank, from Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents’ Association today said the group was “delighted” with the news and claimed the existing restriction of 65 decibels was plenty for holding concerts and events in the Quarry.]
Quite keen to comment when it is something they want to hear, eh Peter Growup.
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Thats fantastic news, I will now buy a ticket for the 80′s night, it was dreadful last year, we spent all that money and could not hear it. It IS one in the eye for the STRCA actually, because people have had enough of them and their attitude, many people live in the town centre, as I do, and no one ever asks me what I think of it all! there was going to be a lot of trouble with the facebook ‘revolt’ just the start of the very strong feelings that the people of Shrewsbury have regarding the attitude of those very few who think they are more important than ‘those little people’. Why dont they just move to the country where they can live in peace?
Shrewsbury will not ‘die’ now, common sense has prevailed, HURRAH! thank you.
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Any chance the Shrewsbury folk festival can be moved back into town now please, its gone from the Quarry to sundorne via the west mid showground.
There won’t be much point calling it the Shrewsbury folk festival soon..
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Power to the people!!!!
great news but……….
Will it apply to this Fridays concert ?
I guess not as there has not been chance for ‘consultation’
Hope i’m wrong……..
Looking forward to being soaked to the skin again…..
anyone seen the forecast?
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Hallelujah!
For once a bit of common sense has prevailed!
Now let’s get some genuinely decent bands on and breathe a bit of life back into this beautiful but stifled town.
I do find the comment of the STRCA being ‘unconcerned’ by the news hilarious. Come on, they lodge an objection if somebody wants to paint their front door green when all the other doors in the street are red!
Could it be that the group has finally realised that the vast majority of Shrewsbury doesn’t agree with Dr Shrank and, even more importantly, couldn’t care less what they thought?
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Forecast on the beeb is for light rain, but given their accuracy of late I think they have reverted to the tried and trusted means: examining the entrails of sacrificial goats!!
More seriously:
Star: Please, Please, Please contact the STCRA for comment! It will cheer up the 100,000 or so residents of Shrewsbury not associated with them sooooo much to hear their thoughts!!! :)
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Great news. The STCRA really should comment now. Will they still be disagreeing with louder music levels, making it impossible for any of these gigs to take place. If Shrewsbury is getting a large new hotel, surly it’s time they encouraged big gigs in the town centre, bringing people in to stay there.
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Its only a battle that has been won. The council can still raise or decrease levels as they deem is necessary.
It is a step in the right direction, but until they come out and say once and for all that they will stop implementing these crazy low levels, the war is not over.
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Don’t be surprised if the STCRA are there covertly measuring the sounds with decibel meters. There lack of comment suggests they have a cunning plan, I wonder which one likens themself to Baldrick and which one is Blackadder?
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sweet sweet
Bring the noise!!!
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