Bid for Cotswold countryside amphitheatre to host live events delayed

Berrybank Park Events Limited wants permission for a sunken amphitheatre, kitchen pod and pavilion at Berry Bank in Oddington near Moreton-In-Marsh.

Their part retrospective proposals for the outdoor live performance venue and a scheme for a marquee pavilion, outdoor lighting structures and other pods to be used from April 30 to October 1 each year were due to be considered this week.

Both applications were listed for Cotswold District Council’s planning and licensing committee meeting on July 13.

Officers had recommended granting permission but it was referred to councillors as thirteen people and Oddington Parish Council said it was disappointed the plans were retrospective given it was such a substantial and unusual change of use and commercial use.

“We note that there has been a creeping of the size and nature of the facility from its original conception and if that were to continue it would give rise to more substantial concerns,” the parish council said.

Some ten residents have also written in support of the proposals.

Consultants working on the scheme said the development is discreet and respectful of the location of the site within the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty.

However, chairman Ray Brassington (LD, Four Acres) informed the meeting that it would not be debated that day as officers had taken the decision to pull the two separate proposals.

A planning officer explained that the authority has received legal challenges and are also awaiting further information regarding the impact the scheme would have on environmental health.

“We have received a letter with some legal challenges we wish to take the appropriate time to consider before it’s passed before members.

“And secondly, we are awaiting further information with regard to the environmental health aspects of the scheme and wish to allow the proper time for those to be considered.”