Irish street party plans in Northampton could cause 'significant disturbance', council fears

An Irish pub's plans to hold a St Patrick's Day street party in the Mounts for 450 people has been called in for review over noise fears.
The bosses of the Swan and Helmet are hoping to launch a street party in Grove Road, the Mounts, next spring. But they already face opposition from police and council officials.The bosses of the Swan and Helmet are hoping to launch a street party in Grove Road, the Mounts, next spring. But they already face opposition from police and council officials.
The bosses of the Swan and Helmet are hoping to launch a street party in Grove Road, the Mounts, next spring. But they already face opposition from police and council officials.

The Swan and Hemet in Grove Road, the Mounts, has applied to hold a day-long festival outside the premises by obtaining a road closure between Clare Street and Somerset Street.

Landlord Teresa McCarthy, who is one of the co-organisers of the Speedy Cup at the Racecourse, says the street party would celebrate "all that is great about Irish heritage" and would see a temporary stage constructed on the largely residential street.

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But Northamptonshire Police has lodged formal objections to the event notice on a number of grounds.

Licensing officer for the force Chris Stevens, said: "My objection is based on the length of time that is being applied for in combination with the residential location.

"Furthermore there is insufficient detail on the TEN (Temporary Event Notice) to lead me to believe that this event will be safely managed.

"I am also concerned with how the 450 capacity can be maintained in such a public place and this is not adequately addressed in this application."

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He added that he was also concerned to see there were no measures in place to prevent glass containers and alcohol being taken into the wider local area.

Northampton Borough Council's environmental health team has also raised noise concerns about the event by the Chron's 2015 Pub of the year winner.

"This is primarily a residential area of the town and therefore I do not consider this a suitable location for an event of this nature," wrote officer Louise Marshall in an objection letter to the borough council's licensing committee.

"General noise and disturbance from having 450 people in this small area, coming and going and taking part in the other activities described in the application is also likely to cause significant disturbance to nearby residents."

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The application is for the day festival to take place between noon and midnight on March 18, 2018.

The pub has applied for a temporary bar tent and food van to service the event, while there would also be outdoor toilets, rides for children, a first-aid tent and "fully certified security staff on hand."

The application was due to come before the licensing sub-committee on Northampton Borough Council.

The Swan and Helmet has been contacted for comment.

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