The volume could be turned down on a Croxley Green festival after residents raised concerns that the popular event causes a public nuisance.

This is due to be the fourth year that Croxfest takes place on The Green, but loud noise coming from the event could see the sound being dialled down.

Michael Beattie lives about one kilometre from The Green and said that for the past three years his enjoyment of his home has been "blighted" by the music and tannoy announcements coming from the event.

At a Three Rivers District Council licensing sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, Mr Beattie said: "All we are asking for is consideration for ourselves that the sound shouldn’t be such a nuisance for eight hours or ten hours."

Mr Beattie said he and his family, as well as those living in the hamlet, cannot enjoy their "peaceful" properties when the event takes place.

He added: "If the committee don’t agree with us you are condemning us for the rest of our lives to have this noise pollution every year."

Croxfest is situated on The Green where Sarratt Road meets The Green. A premises licence was first applied for in June 2011 for the playing of live and recorded music outdoors between midday and 8pm.

In documents submitted to the council, a representation from the responsible authority for the licensing authority raised concerns over the number of people who may attend the event, which may exceed 5,000.

The popular event has grown in size over the past three years, and last September it attracted about 7,000 people.

This year, Croxfest is due to be held on September 6.

Mr Beattie outline two objections in the documents submitted to the council, which read: "The sound stage is positioned such that the music noise is funnelled directly from the speakers on the stage and projected northwards to where we live.

"The sound levels are set so high that the music and words can be heard up to one kilometre away, whilst the audience listening to it are approximately 50 to 70 metres away from the stage."
Garry Turner, one of the event organisers, said: "It’s not a Glastonbury it’s a family community event."

He added: "In terms of the event it’s quite important to recognise it’s a community event. It’s attended by a lot of residents within Croxley. Some come from Watford but generally it’s a Croxley event that we put on in the community for the community."

Members of the licensing sub-committee have five working days to review the noise concerns regarding the festival.