South Wales Evening Post - 24 April 2007
Hundreds of people have joined the fight against a planned summer music festival in Swansea.
Residents have been pouring cold water on hopes of bringing the Fflam festival to the city's Singleton Park in July.
It would see a host of big name bands perform and up to 30,000 music fans pouring into the city.
But people living near the park, who are concerned about noise and other problems, have added their names to a 400-strong petition against the plans and handed it to Sketty Councillor Tony Lloyd.
He said: "The strength of feeling among local people is clear. Singleton Park should not be the venue for such a large event, which is expected to play host to some 30,000 people."
Promoters Straight Music had planned the three-day open air festival to take place in July.
It would feature top names such as the Manic Street Preachers and Feeder performing at Singleton Park.
There are also plans for a camping village to be set up at Fairwood Common in Gower with its own facilities and music stage.
Residents are concerned the event has been poorly planned and will cause huge disruption.
Christina Sumner, with residents' association campaigner Gaye Mitchell, has collected hundreds of signatures against the event.
Mrs Sumner has now handed the petition to Councillor Lloyd.He has said he will make sure the council's Legal Services Department receive it in time for the licensing committee.
The committee will decide soon whether or not the event can have a licence to go on later than is allowed under current rules.
Councillor Lloyd said: "I congratulate Christina and Gaye for getting so many signatures on the petition.
"Swansea needs to attract big bands and festivals aimed at younger people are great for our city's image.
"But Singleton Park, stuck in between a residential area and a hospital, is hardly an ideal spot for such events. Why can't the council think long and hard about finding an alternative location?"
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council has received the petition on behalf of Sketty residents.
"The petition will be included as part of the ongoing consultation process that is underway. The council recently met with residents in Sketty. We have listened to the community and consideration will be given to revising the application to help address the issues raised by residents."
A spokeswoman for Fflam organisers Straight Music declined to comment.
Reader comments
About time too. For too long the council have ignored residents from Brynmill to Sketty. Every year we get the constant thump thump thump from the base of the equipment in the park when these shows go on, and every year it's the same old excuse from the council, we were monitoring the sound and it's within limits. Yeah right, if I played my music at that level you can bet I would be in court before my feet touched the ground, and its right next to a hospital, who in their right mind lets these things, happen? The problem is it?s the same old thing with Swansea council, money money money, if they can make a fast buck then its tough luck to anyone it effects. Anyone else notice that the environmental health section of the council is always closed when these shows go on so you can't complain about the noise, funny that.
Roger, Brynmill
