Milton Keynes Dons’ National Bowl revival plans hit stumbling block …

12/04/2023

Plans to revive an iconic Buckinghamshire concert venue have been met with opposition from police and council officers over safety concerns. The National Bowl is set to host its first concert in eight years in a matter of months but a licence application to host live music and other entertainment has come under scrutiny.

Stadium MK Ltd, run by MK Dons owner Pete Winkelman, has applied for a premises licence for the National Bowl in Milton Keynes ^[1]. Also known as the Milton Keynes Bowl, the venue has seen the likes of David Bowie, Queen and Michael Jackson perform there in the past.

But the most recent event, the Electric Daisy Carnival dance music festival, took place back in 2016 and the most recent previous concert was that of Foo Fighters in 2015. Although rock giants Muse are due to perform at the venue in June this year, Stadium MK Ltd’s application has seen police, neighbours and MK City Council ^[2] raise concerns.

The applicants want to have the Bowl open 24/7, with entertainment including live music ^[4] to be permitted from 9am to 3am indoors and from 9am to 11pm outdoors. The application also includes provision for selling alcohol from 9am to 3am indoors and 9am to 11pm outdoors – but the definition of ‘indoors’ at an open-air venue is not made clear.

Stadium MK Ltd also hoped to provide late night refreshment until 3am, but after consultation with the council and Thames Valley Police ^[5], this has been amended to midnight. It is one of many conditions agreed upon between the parties but some matters remain outstanding.

Events at Milton Keynes Bowl have ‘a considerable impact’ on city

Worries over plans for camping provision and noise control have yet to be addressed, while Milton Keynes City Council says there is “insufficient evidence” to support the claim that the Bowl can host a capacity of 65,000 visitors.

In a report published by the council, officers wrote: “Extensive discussions have been held between the responsible authorities and the applicant as would be expected in such an application. At the time of writing many conditions had been agreed and concerns resolved.

“Four local residents made individual representations against this application. A further resident submitted a representation on their own and, on behalf of, a further 15 local residents. The Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council also made representation.

“Concerns include the lateness of the hours applied for; the impact of visitors to the bowl parking and returning to cars in residential streets; behaviour and anti-social behaviour ^[6] generated by [and] of visitors; litter and public urination and that the Bowl may be open every day of the week.

“The Milton Keynes Bowl is an iconic ^[7] music venue, which has hosted many large music concerts since its opening in 1979. The venue has not been used for a largescale music festival since 2016 and a previous licence was surrendered in 2019.

“There are other users on the site, and the venue ^[8] continues to be used for motorbike training, cycling, running and other non-licensable events. A large-scale music event at the Bowl can attract up to the capacity of circa 65,000 people.

“This has a considerable impact on the city, the residents and the transport network ^[9]. There will be temporary structures, road closures, temporary parking provision, noise management and security plans.

Freddie Mercury performing at the Milton Keynes Bowl (Image: Getty Images)

“Detailed event management plans will be expected for any such event and organisers will need to consider a range of topics which have in part been included in the headlines for the Event Management Plan in the operating schedule. A premises licence will not be the only control factor governing the use of the site nor the management of an event.

“Individual Responsible Authorities and other legislation will help to ensure safety so Members should not think that the Premises Licence is the only means to control what happens at the venue. The primary outside events guidance document referred to as the PurpleGuide and similar documents provide best practice advice.

“It is fair to say that if a music concert is held in this venue for circa 65,000 people, the noise from music generated will be heard outside the Bowl arena. There have been extensive developments in the control of sound, permitting directional speakers and better control of frequencies which can reduce the impact on residents.

David Bowie performs at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes in 1990 (Image: Mirrorpix)

“It would likely not be viable to hold a concert that does not generate noise, so Members may wish to consider what would be reasonable. If music levels are high, then perhaps a reduction in the frequency of events can mitigate this.

“Some of the residents have stated they accept there will be music events, but that the potential for numerous music events on consecutive days/weekends may be unreasonable. Members will note that a limit has been agreed: ‘There shall be no more than 15 music-led licensable event days of 20,000 capacity or more in any calendar year’.

“Environmental Health ^[10] Officers are working with the applicant to determine an acceptable and suitable noise management control levels.” The matter will be discussed by Milton Keynes City Council’s licensing sub-committee at 6pm on Wednesday, April 12.

References

^{^} Milton Keynes (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} MK City Council (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} Memories of the National Bowl in Milton Keynes as readers remember David Bowie and Queen concerts (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} entertainment including live music (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} Thames Valley Police (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} behaviour and anti-social behaviour (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} iconic (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} venue (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} transport network (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)
^{^} Environmental Health (www.buckinghamshirelive.com)