Environment Monday - Mill Hill's Parks and Green Spaces are under threat

  Barnet Council have recently posted a licencing application

(https://admin.barnet.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Licencingapplication04042022.pdf) on some lamp posts near and in  Mill Hill Park.

The application states:

Sign in Mill Hill Park

“A new application seeking to allow: For all the activities below the hours are as follows; Monday – Sunday 10:00 -20:00 Plays Both Indoors and outdoors) Films Both Indoors and outdoors) Live music ( Both Indoors and outdoors ) Recorded music (Both Indoors and outdoors) Performances of dance Both Indoors and outdoors) Anything of a similar description to that falling within (e), (f) or (g) Anything of a similar description to that falling within (e), (f) or (g) “This application is to ensure that the park is correctly licenced for any future ad-hoc events ”

This application has very serious implications for residents like you who live near Mill Hill Park. At present if anyone wishes to run an event in the park, they must apply for a temporary events licence. Only a maximum of 15 events per year with a capacity of 499 – including staff – can be currently run at the park.

If this licence is approved events can run all year at the park and a premises licence allows a maximum capacity of 4999. Imagine the parking chaos and noise!

We are hearing that the fun fair at Brent Cross is looking for a new venue. Mill Hill Park could be that venue under this licence.

We must stop this from happening. It is vital that YOU put in a representation email to Barnet Council licencing to oppose this, but time is running short. You have until May 2^nd – before the elections – to submit a representation at licensingadmin@barnet.gov.uk

Barnet Council state the following:

• Representations must relate to one of more of the four licensing objectives, the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Copthall Green Space under threat.

As if this wasn't bad enough, they are also planning to turn Copthall playing fields into a huge music venue this summer, with 10,000 people attending a large festival on green belt fields. The proposed license for the festival will have music until 10pm and will see thousands of revelllers descending on Mill Hill's train station when the music finishes. It will take at least two hours for such a crowd to disperse. The festival organisers are moving to Barnet after huge problems at it's previous home in Enfield, leading to Enfield Council banning the festival. Read this report in the Enfield press. 

All of this is happening because the local Conservative Council have messed up the finances and are desperate to rent out the parks to bring in some cash to the empty coffers. 

The Mill Hill Lib Dem team is committed to opposing these threats to our green spaces. We are available to discuss any issues you think should be dealt with. Please contact us by email at millhill@barnetlibdems.org.uk

Please help us to protect Mill Hill's green spaces by giving us your support in the forthcoming local election in Mill Hill Ward.  You can follow our campaign on our digital newsletter site here