Cornwall’s biggest motor show and other events, including music festivals, will have to find new venues after a licence for a new 50-acre entertainment site called Newquay Showground was refused by Cornwall Council.

Former Pirate FM presenter Dom James, who runs Cornwall MotorFest, had applied for a licence to run events, including his own, on land near Cubert.

Members of Cornwall Council’s licensing committee believed that if they granted the application there would be “crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour issues at the site, together with public safety issues”.

The meeting heard that at previous events at the site there was loud music, swearing, with people even defecating in the fields and trespassing onto a neighbouring campsite.

Members accepted that Mr James was not responsible for those activities but these were indicative of the problems that would arise if the application was granted.

File photo of classic cars

A number of people in the area had complained about the potential for loud noise, anti-social behaviour and crime.  

The application was for the licensing of a “showground” for the hosting of the motor show and music festival and for other licensed events and festivals throughout the year. 

The annual MotorFest, previously held at Stithians Showground, was to be held over three days, on August 30 to September 1, at what has previously been announced as Newquay Showground.

The event, and others, had already been advertised on Facebook and on its own website.

Its Facebook page states: “Cornwall MotorFest offers motor dealers new and second-hand, live music across two stages including headline acts, stunt shows, food and refreshments, classic cars, the Soapbox Race plus much, much more.”

Newquay Showground & Events Centre has its own Facebook page too.

According to the representations from the council's Health and Safety Team there were serious concerns regarding the lack of information provided as to the crowd capacity on site, the layout and the permanent and/or temporary infrastructure and facilities on site. 

There had been no agreed noise management plan and no details of the additional events.

Members were of the opinion that the application was "not fit for purpose” and the site was not a suitable location for such events.

A council spokesman said: “The actual events appeared to be completely different from that applied for with activities taking place in different areas than shown in the application and on the plan.

“Members were very concerned about the lack of detail in the application, for example the lack of an event management plan.”

The council considered that this was not a showground but farmland on the edge of Cubert which was approximately 1,200 metres away and one of the stages would be less than 200 metres from the boundary of an adjoining campsite.

A statement made today (Tuesday, March 26) on the Cornwall MotorFest Facebook page says: “Just a quick heads up as you know we are moving the show to Newquay this year and have hit a little bump in the road.

“Sadly Cornwall Council have deemed the land we intended to use not suitable (despite other events held there in the past).

“We’ve been working hard in the background which is why we have been a little quiet lately to source an alternate and larger area for the show so watch out for updates in the next few days but our preferred site, which is currently under negotiation, is within a stone’s throw of the previous site.

“Cornwall Motorfest will still be going ahead on the same dates that have been agreed. And, in fact, we hope tomorrow to announce a huge attraction for the show. So all we ask is you bear with us and watch this space.”

Cornwall Live understands the organisers of the other events are also looking for alternative venues.