Plans to hold a family-friendly Sicilian-themed festival in Richmond town centre next summer have been refused.

Richmond Council rejected proposals to hold Marzamemi Festival on Richmond Green, from June 25 to 27 next year, over safety and anti-social behaviour concerns.

Richmond's licensing committee ruled Richmond Green was already a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and would be put under more pressure by the festival, with a capacity of up to 4,999 people, which would attract more people while restricting the space available to the public.

The committee said they were not satisfied festivalgoers could be safely accommodated in its boundaries, with only one entrance and limited exit points.

The summer festival has been held in Old Deer Park previously, but organisers waned to bring it to Richmond Green for the first time.

It hosts Italian music, banquets and food stalls, cooking workshops, wine tasting, craft masterclasses, shopping and children's activities.

The plans faced backlash from locals concerned about restricting public access to the popular open space, with a total of 45 objections – including concerns neighbours would be disturbed by noise as the green is surrounded by homes.

Among objectors were Friends of Richmond Green and The Richmond Society.

Robert Tuday, representing The Richmond Society, told Richmond's licensing hearing on 19 October that he objected to taking away "public access to a large area of Richmond Green for a substantial period, to the point of constituting a public nuisance".

Mr Tuday said: "The festival involves the exclusive occupation by a commercial concern of a substantial area of the green, granting access to only those who pay, to the detriment of the non-paying public at large, who may wish to use the green and enjoy it as an amenity."

Resident Vivien Harris added: "The nuisance would not be limited to residents. Visitors wishing to enjoy the remaining accessible areas of Richmond Green for relaxation, recreation or family outings would also be subjected to the noise."

Lib Dem councillors Chris Varley, Massimo Chiesa and Katie Mansfield objected to the plans too.

Cllr Mansfield, lead member for Richmond Town Centre, said she did not believe "Richmond Green is the right location for an event of this scale or this format".

Other residents backed the plans, however, with ten letters of support describing it as a well-managed, family-friendly event that benefitted the borough.

Local mum and business owner Tara Stevens told the hearing the festival was desperately needed in the area.

Ms Stevens said the organisers made sure the festival brought "just as much fun and engagement as it does safety for the whole family".

She added: "We are begging for more activities like this, that are super curated for young families, to be closer to home."

Festival founder Emily Ceraudo said the event would be a "boutique, family-friendly celebration of Italian food, craft and culture on Richmond Green" that supported local businesses.

Ms Ceraudo said she had addressed objectors' concerns by shrinking the footprint of the event to little more than a third of the green and enforcing strict noise limits.

She said performances would be inside marquees and specialist equipment would be used to limit noise, while a security team would keep people safe.

The proposed closing time of the festival was 9pm on June 25 and 26, and 7pm on June 27.

Ms Ceraudo added: "It's very much a family-friendly festival… it's at the forefront of the design of the event strategy."

However, in a new report, the committee said there was significant risk of people breaking into the festival and that its website made it seem "alcohol led".

The committee said it could not add conditions to the licence strong enough to prevent public nuisance when the area was so residential.

The report added that while the festival had "provided a positive cultural experience… and has operated successfully previously at Old Deer Park", the committee believed holding a similar event on Richmond Green would not be in line with licensing objectives for the prevention of crime, disorder and public nuisance and public safety.

Organisers can apply to hold the festival in another location.

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