Cornbury Park Estate's festival bid recieves objections

Cornbury Park Estate has hosted the Cornbury Festival for seven years

Lord and Lady Rotherwick's application for a series of events at Cornbury Park has recieved 74 objections from local residents and nine letters of support.

Opposed to the plans are Charlbury Town Council and the Duchess of Marlborough from the nearby Blenheim estate.

The Rotherwicks expressed "extreme dismay" that their application had caused so many concerns.

West Oxfordshire District Council's licensing panel will discuss the application on 10 January.

Policing of the events and potential drug and alcohol issues were raised by Charlbury Town Council.

Rosita, Duchess of Marlborough, said: "In the interest of the well being of the community, I should like to object most strongly."

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust requested further information regarding the wildlife interest of the site.

Of those in support, several cited the financial rewards the festival offered the town.

Charlbury resident Helen Holwill said: "I believe that the community will benefit both culturally and financially from events taking place at the park."

Former Cornbury Festival organiser Hugh Phillimore ran the event on the Rotherwick's estate for seven years.

His company Cornbury Music Festival Ltd went into liquidation in November, 2010 and he and the Rotherwick's parted company.

He will hold an alternative festival at a new site in Great Tew on 1 to 3 July after his application received no objections.