Mobile Dance Venue Licence Sparks Local Concerns

A permanent licence for Skybar, a mobile dance venue directed by James Watson, to host two annual events at Tebulsue Farm, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, has been granted by Cornwall Council. This decision has prompted “massive concerns” from local councillors and residents in Newquay, particularly due to the venue’s proximity to an area affected by cliff collapses. Mr. Watson informed a licensing committee that no complaints had been received since Skybar began operating at the site in 2018, and affirmed that the events would not necessitate the closure of any roads or footpaths. Newquay Town Council expressed environmental concerns regarding the chosen location, with one councillor describing it as an “incredibly sensitive area”. Councillor Joanna Kenny, representing the town, stated: “One of the problems with this is it’s a permanent licence.” She further noted that the area is “under a lot of pressure to do things like the Skybar, Boardmasters and all the rest of it.” Councillor Kenny elaborated on the council’s apprehension, saying: “Our concern really is if we give this one a permanent licence – and we’ve got Boardmasters as a permanent – then the next one that comes along we can’t balance between them.” Despite acknowledging that Skybar is a “good organisation and it’s done well” and has generated no complaints, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she received assurance from a council solicitor that a mechanism exists for any licence to be reviewed should it cause local impact. Abby and Richard Paull, operators of the adjacent Treloy Touring Park for over 40 years, also voiced “numerous” concerns. Mrs. Paull conveyed to the committee: “Our overriding main concern is the noise. “We are very close to the Skybar location, which is the same location as Boardmasters.” She added: “It’s about making sure our campers are able to sleep, aren’t disturbed and we’re able to get on and run our business, so we’re asking for a level of protection.” Councillor John Fitter, the Cornwall Council representative for the area, also expressed “massive concerns”. He described the site as a “semi-rural location” and “the unfettered open space between Whipsiderry and Watergate Bay.” Councillor Fitter highlighted the peril associated with the local coastline, stating: “We have a very dangerous situation relating to the cliffs at Whipsiderry and Watergate – we’ve had cliff falls between the two.” He further articulated his worry: “I’m concerned that people who attend this site will attempt to negotiate their way back to Newquay by the cliff footpath.” In response, Mr. Watson clarified that he could only be held accountable for Skybar’s operations, not for Boardmasters or other events. He also mentioned that the entire venue is fenced off to ensure the safety of attendees. The committee ultimately approved the licence, noting that events had been successfully conducted at the location for the preceding three years without any complaints being lodged with the relevant authorities. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.