Dance Music Event License

If you are applying for a Temporary Events License (TEN) for a Dance Music Event then the main objection coming from the local the Environmental Health Officer or Police will be be Noise.

Overcoming a Noise Objection for a Dance Music Event

To successfully rebut an objection based on noise, you need to present a compelling case that you have adequately planned to prevent public nuisance from noise. This means demonstrating proactive measures and a clear understanding of noise control.

Here's the information you would typically need to provide:

I. Comprehensive Noise Management Plan (NMP)

This is the cornerstone of your argument. It should be a detailed document outlining how you will control noise throughout the event. Key elements include:

Site Plan / Layout Plan:

• Detailed map of the event area: Clearly showing the proposed stage/speaker locations, any temporary structures, generators, car parks, and audience areas.
• Orientation of sound sources: Indicating the precise direction speakers will face, ideally away from any potentially sensitive properties.
• Distances to sensitive receptors: Mark the nearest residential properties, hospitals, care homes, or other noise-sensitive locations on the map, along with their exact distances from the main noise sources. Even if they are miles away, identify them.

Sound System Specifications and Management:

• Type and power of sound system: Details of the sound equipment (speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers).
• Noise Limiters/Compressors: Confirmation that sound limiters will be used and how they will be set to prevent excessive noise levels.
• Sound Engineer: Name and contact details of the qualified sound engineer responsible for sound levels during the event. Their experience with outdoor events is a plus.
• Speaker Arrangement: Explanation of how speakers will be positioned (e.g., using delay towers, directional speakers) to minimize off-site noise while still providing good sound within the event area.
• Low-Frequency Control: Specific measures to control bass noise, as it travels furthest and causes the most disturbance (e.g., specific subwoofer placement, electronic filtering).

Noise Monitoring Strategy:

• Background Noise Survey: Evidence of a background noise survey conducted at the nearest noise-sensitive properties before the event. This establishes a baseline.
• Proposed Noise Limits: State the maximum permissible noise levels at the nearest sensitive properties (often expressed as dB(A) over a 15-minute period, relative to the background noise, and specific octave band limits for bass frequencies, especially for night-time). For 23:00 to 09:00, the standard is often "inaudible at noise-sensitive premises with windows open in a typical manner for ventilation."
• Monitoring Locations: Details of where and how often noise will be monitored during the event (e.g., at the mixing desk, at the site boundary, at sensitive receptors).
• Equipment: Type of sound level meters to be used (e.g., complying with BS61672: 2003, Class 2 or better).
• Action Plan for Exceedances: A clear procedure for what actions will be taken immediately if noise limits are approached or exceeded (e.g., immediate reduction in volume, adjustments to speaker direction).

Operational Procedures:

• Event Timings: Detailed schedule of when music will be played, including sound checks and main performances. If 24-hour, explain how noise will be managed during quieter overnight periods.
• Phased Music Levels: Commitment to reducing overall noise levels, particularly bass, during late-night and early-morning hours.
• Public Address (PA) System: How the PA system will be managed to avoid excessive noise.
• On-site Noise Control Personnel: Who will be responsible for noise monitoring and management throughout the event, with contact details.

II. Communication and Engagement Strategy

Demonstrating that you have proactively engaged with the local community is crucial.

Stakeholder Identification: List all potentially affected residents, businesses, and community groups, even if they are distant.
Communication Plan:

• Pre-event Notification: Details of how and when local residents (especially those identified as sensitive receptors) will be informed about the event, its nature, times, and expected noise levels. This could include a letter drop, local newspaper advertisements, or community website posts.
• Complaint Hotline: A dedicated, clearly advertised telephone number that will be manned throughout the event for any noise complaints.
• Complaint Management Protocol: A clear procedure for logging complaints, investigating them promptly, and taking corrective action (e.g., "Noise control person to investigate within 15 minutes and report back to complainant within 30 minutes with actions taken").
• Post-event Review: Commitment to a post-event review with EH and police.

III. Supporting Evidence and Credentials

Experience: If you have previous experience organizing similar events with good noise control, highlight it. Provide references or past event reports if available.
Expert Advice:

• Acoustic Consultant Report: For a 24-hour noisy outdoor event, particularly in a potentially sensitive location, strongly consider hiring a qualified independent acoustic consultant. Their report, based on a site visit and modelling, will carry significant weight. It should confirm the feasibility of your proposed noise levels and the effectiveness of your NMP.
• Professional Memberships: If you or your sound engineer are members of relevant professional bodies (e.g., Institute of Acoustics, Association of Noise Consultants), mention this.
• Risk Assessment: A comprehensive event risk assessment that specifically addresses noise risks and mitigation measures.
• Security and Stewarding Plan: How you will manage crowd dispersal after the event to minimize noise from departing patrons.

IV. Argument at the Hearing

• Be Prepared: Know your Noise Management Plan inside out.
• Be Professional and Reassuring: Demonstrate to the Sub-Committee that you take noise nuisance seriously and have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.
• Focus on Mitigation: Emphasize the specific controls you will implement, especially for the challenging night-time hours.
• Highlight Remoteness: Reiterate how the chosen location's remoteness inherently minimizes the risk of noise nuisance compared to urban or suburban areas.
• Offer Conditions: Be open to accepting reasonable conditions from the Sub-Committee if it helps them approve the TEN (e.g., slightly lower sound levels at certain times, specific monitoring requirements).

By providing this detailed and proactive information, you significantly increase your chances of successfully rebutting a noise objection and getting your TEN approved. Remember, the burden is on you to demonstrate that the event will not cause a public nuisance.

Location, Location

Remote Areas Outside National Parks would be good places to start looking for location to base you Dance Music Event, if your choose the right spot then noise concerns will be easier to deal with from the outset.

Parts of Northumberland (outside the National Park):

• Description: While Northumberland National Park is very remote, there are vast expanses of open countryside, moorland, and forestry commission land outside its boundaries, particularly towards the Scottish border and in the Kielder Water & Forest Park area (though this is managed land). The county generally has very low population density.
• Specific areas to research: Look for areas surrounding Kielder Forest, or further east towards the Cheviot foothills but outside the National Park. There are often large estates or forestry land that might be suitable with permission.
• Why it's good: Very low population, often vast, open landscapes, and some of the darkest skies in England.

Remote parts of Cumbria (outside the Lake District National Park):

• Description: The Eden Valley, for example, is known for being sparsely populated, even though it borders the Lake District and North Pennines AONB. There are large agricultural areas and rolling hills.
• Specific areas to research: Areas east of the M6 motorway, away from towns like Penrith, often contain large fields or private estates.
• Why it's good: Low population density, large fields, and generally less frequented by tourists than the national park.

Large Forestry Commission / Woodland Trust sites (not within National Parks):

Description: The Forestry Commission manages huge swathes of woodland across England. Many of these are not in National Parks and can be very secluded. Woodland Trust also owns and manages many sites. These often have good access roads for maintenance but are otherwise uninhabited.
Specific areas to research:

Thetford Forest (Norfolk/Suffolk): One of the largest lowland pine forests in the UK. While some parts are popular, there are very extensive areas within it.

Sherwood Forest area (Nottinghamshire): Again, while famous, the wider forest area contains many secluded spots.
Haldon Forest Park (Devon): Managed by Forestry England, large forested areas.
Wider Forestry England estates: Check their website for maps of their managed land.

Why it's good: Managed land means a clearer point of contact for permissions, and often good internal track networks. The dense trees can also help with sound dampening.

Remote Areas of the East Anglian Fens:

Description: While very flat, the Fens are incredibly sparsely populated outside of the main towns. There are vast agricultural fields and drainage networks.
Specific areas to research: Look for large, isolated fields or areas alongside major drainage channels (like the Old Bedford River or Middle Level Main Drain) in counties like Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, or Lincolnshire.
Why it's good: Extremely low population density, very few buildings, and large, open spaces.
Consideration: Can be very exposed to wind, and ground conditions might be soft in places.

Private Estates and Large Agricultural Holdings:

Description: Many parts of England are dominated by very large private estates, often with extensive agricultural land or woodland. These aren't publicly accessible in the same way as National Parks or AONBs, but if you can secure permission from the landowner, they offer ultimate seclusion.
Specific areas to research: This requires local knowledge or direct outreach. Areas like parts of Wiltshire, Shropshire, or even some of the larger coastal estates in counties like Norfolk (e.g., Holkham Estate) might have suitable remote spots.
Why it's good: With the right landowner agreement, you have maximum control and privacy.