THE popular two-day Poole Party in the Park is under threat after opposition to its premises licence.

Two residents and a council department have lodged complaints about the weekend of live music and family fun at Ashley Cross, which is in its 15th year.

The organiser says if the licence is not granted by Borough of Poole's licensing sub-committee next Tuesday then that will be the end.

"It's an absolute nightmare," said organiser Jane Jones. "If by any chance I don't get the licence, I have 21 days to appeal to a magistrates court. I have been reliably informed by a solicitor I have no chance of getting it heard before then."

The clock is ticking on the event, which is due to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend of August 29 and 30 and attracts up to 4,999 people - its capacity - each day from 12-7pm. Hundreds of £8 advance tickets have been sold and Fun Lovin' Criminals frontman Huey Morgan and DJ Jazzy Jeff are headline acts.

"If it doesn't go ahead that's it," Ms Jones said. She added that she had received no indication from the council that the application would be opposed. "I never thought they could pull it at this late stage."

Ms Jones said: "It is very well supported. And last year I won a highly commended in the Poole Tourism Awards for tourism promotion for Party in the Park."

She pointed out that in recent years Poole had lost Windfest, the Upbeat festival at Upton Country Park and Poole Park Fest, however music event Grooves on the Green in the same park received its licence for July 11 and 12.

The main objection to the licence is from the council's own environmental and consumer protection service on the grounds of noise, antisocial behaviour and litter.

Consumer protection officer Paul Barker's objection said that last year a noise officer had to twice ask for levels to be lowered and believed there was "no effective level" that could be set that would fulfil the entertainment required and not disturb residents.

"We feel that in noise terms the event has outgrown the venue and as such it is not appropriate to host this event in Ashley Cross again," he said.

Residents also objected to litter and loss of the park, but Ms Jones said the event was not taking over all of it this year, so residents would still be able to use the park. And she has submitted a list of proposals for the meeting.

Cllr John Challinor, who represents Parkstone, said: "I would support events so long as they are not a nuisance or disturbance or a problem for local residents. I don't think something that finishes as early as that could be that bad."

Peter Haikin, regulatory services manager, Borough of Poole, said: “We very much support the concept of the Party in the Park and recognise that it is a popular event in Poole’s calendar.

“All such events require an events licence and the council has granted a licence to Party in the Park in previous years. However, we did receive at least a dozen complaints from local residents about the level of noise at last year’s event.

"Officers visited the area and recorded very high noise levels in adjacent flats, including a retirement home, that are within close proximity to the event. We are mindful that we need to find a balance between a popular outside music event with the quality of life of local residents.

“The matter will now be considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee on June 30 and will consider both the objections received, and any proposals submitted by the event organiser to address the issues raised.”