Why is Party in the Park being asked to make changes Grooves on the Green weren't, asks organiser

Jane Jones, who organises Party in the Park, being held at Ashley Cross Green for two days over the August Bank Holiday weekend, says she was strongly encouraged by Borough of Poole to give back an area of the green for the general public to use.

This was the only sizeable area clear of trees, in which an inflatable for children's entertainment could be put, she said. However no such restriction was put on the recently held Grooves on the Green, a similar two-day event, which was not asked to give up a section of the park and used the same site for an inflatable.

"The event is identical," said Ms Jones. "It runs from 12noon on Saturday to 7pm on Sunday night. It is identical timing over a two-day period and they don't have to give anything back.

"I was being pressurised after last year's event to do that," she said.

Lack of public access was one of the points raised when objections were made to her premises licence for the event, which was resolved at a hearing before the borough's licensing sub committee last month. Councillors agreed to grant the licence with a string of conditions covering noise levels, litter collection and a travel plan.

The Daily Echo asked Borough of Poole why two similar events were treated differently and received a statement from Anthony Rogers, recreation and community manager, which failed to answer any of our questions.

He said: “Events at Ashley Cross are very popular with local people and the council works hard to balance a vibrant events programme with the needs of local residents.

"These are two different events and in response to public feedback from last year’s Party in the Park event we are trialling a different fencing layout that will ensure some public space is available for other park users who may not wish to attend this event.

"We are actively working with the organiser of Party in the Park to ensure this year’s event runs as smoothly as possible.”