Residents have voiced concerns over a new premises licence application for Kenya In The Park, planned for Acton Park, The Vale. The Ealing Council Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to review the application by Kenya In The Park CIC on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, amidst objections primarily focused on potential public nuisance and disorder.
The proposed event, expecting between 9000-9999 attendees, seeks permission to host live music, recorded music, performances of dance, and the retail sale of alcohol on Saturdays from 11:00 to 22:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 21:00. The proposed opening hours are 11:00 to 22:00 on both days. The Public Reports Pack details the application, including the operating schedule and representations from local residents.
To address concerns raised by residents, Kenya In The Park CIC has outlined several mitigation measures. To mitigate noise pollution, they state that the event will meet the quidelines of the Noise Council Code Of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts (1995). An event Noise Assessment & Noise Management Plan will be produced to ensure compliance with lthe code.
They also plan to use environmental noise monitors to check and maintain noise levels. Regarding parking, the organisers intend to direct all attendees to park at nearby Parking facilities
and will discourage parking at the event site, promoting the use of public transport via social media. Crowd safety measures include searching all guests on entry, deploying a licensed security team, and implementing a post-event crowd dispersion plan.
Five residents—Jonathan Foster-Barham, Martin Afshari-Mehr, Susan Hauser, Sandra Brown, and Alexander Alecio—submitted representations against the licence. Their concerns span the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and ensuring public safety.
Jonathan Foster-Barham cited potential noise from music, possible disorder stemming from alcohol sales, and parking complications. Martin Afshari-Mehr highlighted worries about inadequate crowd safety planning, insufficient noise control measures, and a perceived lack of community engagement. Susan Hauser objected to the event's scale, late hours, littering, and parking issues. Alexander Alecio expressed fears that the event would mirror the Acton Carnival, with similar noise levels, alcohol-related problems, and a lack of resident consultation.
The Licensing Sub-Committee has several options: granting the application in full, granting it with conditions, modifying the operating schedule to promote licensing objectives, or rejecting the application entirely. Conditions imposed must align with promoting licensing objectives and address relevant representations. The Panel Procedure Guidance Note outlines the hearing process, where the applicant presents their case, followed by those who made representations. The sub-committee will then decide on the application, with a decision provided either at the meeting's conclusion or within five working days.
If the Licensing Sub-Committee rejects the application, the applicant may appeal to a magistrate's court within 21 days of notification. Similarly, those who made representations can appeal if they believe the licence should not have been granted or requires different conditions.
