Plans for 10,000 visitors to popular Surrey festival near village thrown out over safety fears

Oxted Beer Festival is a volunteer-run event which hosts various live music performances with proceeds going to charities. Started in 2012, up to nearly 5,000 people head to the 11-acre Master Park each year.

The applicant, Events Runway, wanted to increase the allowed size of the festival from 6,000 guests at any one time to 9,999 people. The park trustees had changed the allowed capacity of the site to 6,000 in April 2024.

In April 2024, the park trustees increased the capacity of the site by an extra thousand. Although Oxted Beer Festival was preparing to cater for up to 6,000 people, the summer’s especially wet weather meant there were fewer people than usual this year.

Members at Tandridge District Council (TDC) licensing meeting on December 4 rejected the application to change the capacity of the festival. They claimed “insufficient evidence” was provided on how the event would prevent crime and disorder, protect public safety, prevent public nuisance or protect children from harm.

Events Runway had outlined in its application how it would meet the licensing objectives. These included security staff in hi-vis, searching people for confiscated items on entry, asking people to leave the premises quietly, and medical tents.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Darren Harfield told the committee the site designers were happy the 11-acre park was “more than capable” of holding a large capacity. He highlighted that Events Runway had been considerate to residents’ objections and even dropped the limit to 8,000 people. Mr Harfield added the security team would manage the event, with cleaners ready to ensure the immediate area was cleaned up after the event.

Despite these efforts, the committee said there was “little assurance” on how the increased capacity would potentially impact the surrounding residents. The current license for up to 6,000 people remains in place.

Unfortunately, the hugely popular festival will be cancelled for 2025 due to the “severe damage” caused by this year’s event. The trustees of Master Park wrote to the council: “We need to make the park ‘whole again’ before we have another event on it.”

“No thought” and “devoid of detail”

In a scathing letter from a senior officer, Tandridge Council, the licensing authority itself, objected to the proposed increase in festival-goers. They slammed the application for not explaining how they calculated a “safe and suitable” capacity number and for not considering anti-terrorism measures.

The letter read: “Following the Manchester Arena incident a few years ago, and subsequent review of terrorism measures there is nothing considered within the application on how the applicant will ensure the safety of the increased number of the public, performers and traders at their event.” It added “no mitigations have been provided” for such an event and “casts doubt on the competency of the applicant in being able to ensure a safe event.”

The senior officer said there “appears to be no thought” having gone into the application and its impact on neighbours in the area. They said the application is “devoid of detail”.

Local objections

Eight people originally objected to the application but three had been withdrawn. Neighbours attacked the application and complained of the “constant thudding” noise, “chaotic and inconsiderate parking, as well as anti-social behaviour that already has a huge impact on residents.

They said Oxted village “cannot handle 24,000 people over three days” in terms of traffic, parking and possible poor behaviour, and it would be difficult to police.

Although Surrey Police did not oppose the application, the Force raised concerns about the event and produced a lengthy list of proposed conditions. Environment Health also voiced their anxiety about noise, but the applicant agreed to employ a noise control company and ensure it does not go over set limits.

Events Runway has been approached for comment.