Cornwall’s Environmental Health department has objected to New Year’s Eve plans by one of the most popular club events in Cornwall, writes Local Democracy Reporter Lee Trewhela.

Skybar – the pop-up beach club – has applied to Cornwall Council for a temporary event licence to hold a ten-hour party near St Ives.

However, Environmental Health is against the proposal following complaints from local residents following a Skybar event at the same location last month.

James Watson, on behalf of Skybar, has applied for the licence to hold the St Ives Sessions at Sandy Acres beach car park at Loggans, Hayle for up to 499 people on December 31 to January 1, from 4pm to 2am.

Skybar has posted about the event on social media, saying: “Get ready to join us for Skybar’s FIRST EVER New Year’s Eve Party and celebrate the end of 2024 and welcome in 2025. We are returning to Sandy Acres with our heated frame tents and bringing you the Sandy Acre 7 for their LAST EVER gig. This will be a night of magic under the stars with the most amazing views over St Ives Bay.”

However, the matter will now be decided by a Cornwall Council licensing committee on Monday, October 21 because of the complaint.

The objection notice from the Environmental Health states: “The applicant held an event under their premises licence over the weekend of September 20-21 and this department received complaints from local residents who were disturbed by the noise from the music throughout the weekend.

“Due to the location of the proposed event, I believe that an event lasting ten hours is likely to cause a significant nuisance to the residents in the vicinity. Background noise levels in such a location at night can be expected to be low and amplified music for the proposed duration is anticipated to disturb sleep. This department would recommend refusal of this application.”

Representatives of the events company will be able to put their case to the committee.

Skybar has been a hugely popular night-time entertainment feature in the South West for several years. This year alone it has held events in St Agnes, Polzeath and Watergate Bay in Cornwall, Croyde in Devon and Chew Magna in Somerset with artists and DJs including Roni Size, Craig Charles, Scouting for Girls.

The September event at Sandy Acres featured Ellie Sax, DJ Robbo and popular Cornish shanty group Fisherman’s Friends.