A DECISION has been made on controversial plans for a new music festival in the Forest of Dean – despite concerns drunk revellers could fall and die while wandering in woods.

Organisers of the Five Bar Gate Festival have been granted permission to hold the four day event at Stockwood in Clearwell, near Coleford, some time during August.

They say the independent music festival, around six miles from the Herefordshire border at Symonds Yat, near of Ross-on-Wye, will offer a social environment that is safe, family friendly and appealing to younger audiences.

But local residents and Newland Parish Council had opposed the plans which they say there has been a lack of public consultation over.

Objectors say the amplified music will be a nuisance for villagers and the guests of the nearby hotel.

And people also fear drunken festival goers could hurt themselves by wandering into the scowles.

Mark Cordory, an objector, said: “I simply cannot see how it could safely accommodate either regular large groups of unsupervised and inebriated individuals, or indeed a full-blown festival as proposed.

“The site itself is an area of natural beauty right on the outskirts of a quiet village, the landscape is ancient and unique to this area and needs conserving from the actions of potentially large numbers of inebriated party-goers that would be attracted to the venue as a result of the combination of music and alcohol.

“The potential damage to the location is great, not to mention the very real potential of physical harm or even death for drunken individuals venturing into the scowles at night, this is simply not a safe venue for anyone in the dark who doesn’t know the area, and no matter what restrictions are placed upon the venue boundaries, I fear this is certain to be an inevitable result at some point.”

Applicant Joshua Baynham said his family is quite passionate about music and wanted to “bring something nice to the area”.

He told the Forest of Dean District Council licensing sub-committee on Wednesday (January 26) that it would be an independently run festival showcasing some of the best local talent and recognisable national artists.

“Music would be on the Friday and Saturday and then patrons would depart on Sunday,” he said.

“The rest of the year we would like to run a glamping site and just have a relaxed atmosphere where people can get a drink in the evening and just chill out.

“It’s been two years of pretty bad times. We are essentially just trying to bring something nice to the area and make a good go of it.”

The licensing sub-committee approved the proposals with the condition attendance is limited to a maximum of 700 people.

The licence includes permission to supply alcohol on the premises from midday to 10pm Monday to Wednesday and 8am to midnight Thursday to Saturday and midday to 10pm on Sundays.

And permission to play live and recorded music in doors and outdoors during the same time has also been granted.

However, the four day festival will be limited to just once a year.