Fun fair fury after council plough ahead with 'inappropriate' event
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 7:00 pm
Residents have criticised the council for signing off an “inappropriate” four-day fun fair
The council has signed off an “inappropriate” four-day fun fair at a Coventry park without consulting residents, it has been claimed.
Ward councillor John McNicholas said the council had previously met with residents over holding a ‘commercialisation project’ at Stoke Green park.
But exactly what the project would be was never made apparent, he said, until residents found out the authority had already ploughed ahead with a deal for a fun fair.
He said such an attraction is not suitable for the park due to a lack of parking, poor access and the amount of noise pollution it will cause.
He added: “It is not a clever idea. This is simply the department saying how will we make some money and then talking to people after doing it.
“A fun fair is way off the mark and totally inappropriate in terms of size.”
Corrine Spencer, chairman of Gosford Park Residents Association, added: “It is not a matter of not in our backyard.
“We just do not think a fun fair is appropriate in this park. It is going to be on for four days – it is too much, it is the noise, the litter.”
Another resident, Sue Chilvers, said: “I was really shocked when I found out as I thought ‘has there been a consultation and we have missed out?’
“I could not believe a decision could be made like that without consulting local residents.”
The council has agreed for the popular Tommy Wilson’s Funfairs to hold the event from Thursday, June 27, until Sunday, June 30.
A council spokesman said they will enforce “strict operating guidelines” meaning it will operate between noon and 9pm on the weekdays, noon – 10pm Saturday and noon – 7pm on Sunday.
But residents, who have handed over a 70-person petition against the event, also fear its size could lead to damage to a number of community-led projects which they have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for, such as the Tick-Tock Play Area and the Green Man.
Resident Ann Wilson said: “We have worked our socks off to raise money but why should we do it when the council seem determined to go ahead.”