A bid to host more concerts and other events at a major York venue has been approved but for fewer days than planned following noise complaints.
Futuresound Events Ltd will be able to put on shows in Museum Gardens on six more days next year, half of the 12 it originally applied for.
Kathryn Blacker, chief executive of gardens operator York Museums Trust, told councillors the events brought in much-needed income but they wanted to ensure they did not impact those living nearby.
But objectors, including a City of York Council official, said increasing the amount of noisy events was going too far and would provoke opposition to those already taking place.
The decision at a council licensing hearing yesterday (Tuesday) comes as this year’s Live at Museum Gardens concert series took place the previous weekend.
Self Esteem, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Super Furry Animals all performed along with the York Comedy Festival which took place on Sunday.
Shows first began in 2024 and event operators and the trust said they have been hugely positive for the city.
The application approved on Tuesday is set to see similar shows stages on consecutive weekends throughout June and July starting next year.
The six extra days come on top of the three already taking place.
Operators will be required to fully engage with the local community on their plans for events and the impact of them will be monitored going forward.
The application stated security and stewards would be brought in to ensure public safety and prevent nuisance behaviour, with disorderly people refused entry.
Rehearsals and sound checks would take place from 9am to 8pm and tests would be done before concerts to set a maximum sound limit.
Action would be taken promptly if noise exceeds agreed upon limits.
North Yorkshire Police withdrew its objection to the application after Futuresound agreed to reduce the number of days by half.
But four people living nearby objected, including one representing seven households, along with the council’s public protection team.
Council environmental protection officer Michael Golightly said staging the shows had already proved challenging, with 18 complaints lodged against them last year.
The officer said: “York is a small city in a vale and is vulnerable to geography and weather which allows noise from music events to travel across the city.
“Museum Gardens is surrounded by houses, hotels and businesses on all sides.
“People’s tolerance will reduce if there are more days, including for other events like the Proms, cinema screens and mystery plays.”
Marabel Clark, a Marygate resident who spoke in objection, said Museum Gardens was too small for the kinds of concerts being staged there.
The objector said: “The site’s more or less bubbling over with noise. It’s like a sponge cake that’s being baked in a tin that’s too small.
“There’s also a hum from a drinks cooler that was constantly on all last week and at night.”
Supporters of the application included the Make It York tourism and events body who said the concerts had boosted the city’s national profile and brought in economic benefits.
Another supporter said they were confident Futuresound would manage the events appropriately and respond to any concerns promptly.
Trust chief executive Ms Blacker said they understood the importance of the space and had changed events in previous years following feedback.
The head of the trust said: “Our commercial income is nearly half a million pounds, Futuresound makes up nearly 20 per cent of that income for us every year.
“We simply can’t do without it, though we haven’t entered into this relationship with Futuresound quickly.
“We understand the Museum Gardens are an important resource for the people of York and Futuresound wants these events to work for the community.”
