THURROCK Council's licencing committee will meet this week to decide the fate of a planned musical festival in Stanford-le-Hope.

It is possible that up to 5,000 people might attend the event planned for the Billet Field on Rainbow Lane but Thurrock Council's licensing committee will decide whether the event planned for Saturday, 10 September can go ahead. The application includes the sale of alcohol.

Tickets are on sale for the event organised by Red Room Records Ltd, billed as an "immersive electronic music festival". Red Room are expecting around 2,500 to attend but want to have capacity for a larger crowd if it is required.

The company said it will attract "thousands of ravers" with 30 artists performing on three stages at "the biggest festival Thurrock has ever seen".

Seven residents and Cllr Shane Hebb, the Conservative councillor for Stanford-le-Hope West ward where the planned festival will take place, have raised objections to the event, which is adjacent to the Crooked Billet Pub.

In a letter of objection, Cllr Hebb says: "The venue has a track record as being an inconsiderate neighbour due to excessively loud music and inconsiderate customers causing noise and litter.

"Should the licence be confirmed, this will, as it has in the past, make it impossible to enjoy resident recreation within surrounding gardens."

Cllr Hebb added it would have a detrimental effect on the mental health and well-being of residents, lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour and would have an "untenable effect on shift workers".

A resident whose name was redacted, also wrote to the committee and said: "I'm not averse to people enjoying themselves but why should it be at the expense of local residents?

"We have spent a small fortune on making our home and garden our little haven to relax and entertain family and friends, but unfortunately the noise coming from the Billet is completely ruining it. The last event was so loud we couldn't sit in the garden."

Essex Police also raised concerns of "disorder being generated by the combination of alcohol and music".

Lewis Graham, music and events director for Red Room Records, said: "The licence is for up to 5,000 people but we are expecting 2,500. We've done many events in the pub but we wanted to create something more memorable. We've got people coming from all over the place.

"Most people are well behaved. The people complaining are in Billet Lane and their objections are focused on the pub not on the premises for the event."

The licensing committee will meet on Thursday, 11 August.