Cornwall music event for 3,000 people looks to make return at new venue
Organisers of the Spring Masked Ball have submitted a premises license application
The organisers of Cornwall’s hugely popular Spring Masked Ball are planning to resurrect the event at a brand new venue this May, five years after the last dance festival took place.
A premises license application has been submitted to Cornwall Council for a four-day event on the first weekend of May for approximately 3,000 people.
There will be a mix of live music and DJs performing in a series of "temporary structures" on the grounds of the Killiow Estate near Playing Place, between Truro and Carnon Downs.
The dance festival would take place on the greens of the former 19-hole parkland golf course, which is no longer running.
The organisers of the event, which was last held in 2019 at Beacon Crag, Porthleven, said: "We have identified some challenges relating to noise with the new site and are currently consulting with local residents with hope of resolving them.
"We are committed to holding an event that is agreeable to both the surrounding residents and to our attendees.
"In recent years we have been holding an event in a working fairground in the centre of Helston and maintain a brilliant working relationship with the residents of that area.
"We hope that we can establish a similarly positive relationship with the residents of Killiow Estate."
A resident posted on social media with concerns about the event, asking others who were not in favour to object to Cornwall Council’s licensing department.
She said: "The traffic, always busy at bank holidays, is likely to be gridlocked, not just in the immediate area but through Truro as well. I can imagine the noise will be loud, heard in Truro, Playing Place, Carnon Downs, Feock and surrounding areas."
However, when her post was shared on a Facebook page dedicated to the area this weekend almost all of the 100 responses were in favour. Comments include:
"Should bring some much needed funds to the area, also something for all to go to locally."
"Alcohol, food and music all sounds good to me."
"Banging, mini Elephant Fayre," added one resident, referring to the 1970s/80s festival which used to be held at Port Eliot further up the county.
"A step back towards the good old days, when Queen played at Tregye," said another, referencing an infamous festival in nearby Carnon Downs in 1971 featuring the rock legends before they were famous.
"Finally, something local to look forward to."
"Please be drum and bass! That will be epic. Let me know when the tickets are on sale."
However, a local replied: "It is not a done deal. Wrong place, wrong time for nesting birds and bats, and no consideration for the many residents who live too close to the sources of unbearable noise."
The deadline for commenting on the application is February 12.
The organisers are also behind the Halloween Masked Ball, which takes place at the Flambards attraction in Helston every October or November.