Bosses' fears if licence not granted

Serious concerns would be raised about the future of an historic Shropshire agricultural society if it is not granted a licence to help it to hold more events, bosses warned.

Gary Tudor, commercial director of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society, issued the warning as councillors heard his bid for a new licence for the West Mid Showground, in Shrewsbury.

Showground bosses want to be able to open from 8am to 4.30am every day, with outdoor live and recorded music and dancing until 11.59pm and the same indoors until 4am. But neighbours of the Berwick Road showground have objected, fearing the plans would keep them awake into the early hours.

After hearing evidence for and against the plans yesterday, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's licensing sub-committee decided to meet again on Wednesday to make their decision about the proposals.

Following the hearing Mr Tudor said: "Agriculture has been having a downturn. There would be serious concerns about the viability of the charity should we not be given a licence that allows us to fulfil our obligations as a charity by other events."

But David Spode, manager of pollution and housing at SABC, said environmental health bosses were concerned that adequate controls were not in place for the prevention of public nuisance and safety.

Resident James Welsh added: "I feel it is an abuse of my rights as a human being to subject me to a noise that is going to go on until 4am, 365 days a year."