A planned Goan cultural and music festival at a West London school has been cancelled after Hillingdon Council refused a licence application. The event, which was expected to draw nearly 5,000 people, was set to take place at Harlington School on Pinkwell Lane in Hayes on Sunday, July 26, from 12pm to 9.30pm.
Application details
The applicant, Presley Rodrigues, Director of Goan Musical Events UK Ltd, described the festival as a family-friendly community event. The organisers planned to use the school's outdoor playground and field area, with amplified music, live vocalists, musicians on temporary stages, and traditional Goan dance performances.
Concerns raised
The council's food health and safety team objected due to missing structural safety details for temporary stages and marquees, as well as insufficient information on food vendor hygiene and gas safety. The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about attendee numbers and inadequate security plans. Goals Heathrow, a neighbouring sports complex, objected because the proposed vehicle and pedestrian access routes crossed their leased property without consultation or permission.
The council's environmental protection team also lodged objections. Councillor Darran Davies, who made the final decision, stated that the response to objections was generic and lacked the detail needed for an event of this scale. He said: "The absence of detail significantly undermines the subcommittee's ability to be satisfied that the licensing objectives would be promoted… specifically public order and safety." He added that crowd control measures were deemed inadequate.
Outcome
As a result, the licence was refused, and the festival will not proceed. The council emphasised that the application failed to meet licensing objectives, particularly regarding public safety.
