Brogdale music event plans anger residents
Residents living near Brogdale, the home of the national fruit collection in Kent, have expressed anger that a music event is to be held there.
The organisers have said next month's event near Faversham, which features a live rock band, is a private party restricted to 250 ticket-only guests.
Local resident Joan Tovey said she was furious it was allowed to go ahead.
Swale council said the event did not need permission because of its size, but officials would be monitoring it.
Kent Police added they had no reason to believe the festival would create any public order issues as it was a private event on private land, which had been held a number of times before without incident.
Insp Adam Jones said: "The only difference on this occasion and the reason police have been notified is that this time there has been an application to serve alcohol.
"After carrying out thorough site surveys, we granted a temporary licence for the sale of alcohol at the event."
He said all the tickets had been purchased in advance and most people would be arriving by coach.
Organiser Apple Tarts said as well as bands the 13-hour event on 28 May would include outdoor games, entertainers, and a nightclub.
Mrs Tovey said residents were concerned about noise from the event, which would not end until 0200 BST.
"It doesn't matter that it's just one night. Why should we, as local residents, have to put up with people coming from London to have a party in our back garden?
"We are not unreasonable people. If it finished maybe at 12 o'clock it would be different, but 2am is just too much."
David Hillier, from the organisers Apple Tarts, whose father owns the site, said it had been chosen because of its space and rural location and the fact that it was not too close to houses.
He said licensing officers from Swale Borough Council would be on site to monitor the noise, and all the live music would be finished at 2230 BST.
"After that there's no music outside and all music will in fact be going on inside a marquee, and that music will be monitored."