A Devon raceway that was recently blocked from expanding its number of annual race days has applied for extra permissions to hold a one-off event.
Dunkeswell Raceway is planning on hosting the Rev Fest event at the end of August to mark its 60th anniversary.
Dubbed on its website as an “all-new event bringing together car enthusiasts, motorsport fans and families for a full day of activity”, the track has applied for extra permissions as part of the plans.
It has submitted an application to East Devon District Council for live music outdoors until midnight, the same time it wants to be able to play recorded music until both inside and out.
It wants to be able to also host dance performances indoors and out from midday until midnight on Saturday 29 August, as well as other entertainment. Its application also includes the ability to serve alcohol from 10am until midnight.
The raceway recently faced opposition from residents who live nearby when it sought to expand the number of days it is allowed to host races on, as well as other changes.
Oversight of the track is managed via a complex web of conditions attached to various historical planning applications and a legal Section 106 agreement that provides rules around the days and times the track can be used as well as noise levels.
The raceway was unsuccessful in that bid, with East Devon District Council’s planning committee opting to stay with the status quo.
In terms of its bid for the licensing permissions for Rev Fest, a spokesperson for the raceway said it was hoping to host a maximum of 3,000 people.
“There will be an opportunity for those attending the event to book onto the leisure karts of which there will be a max of 12 karts on circuit at any one time,” the spokesperson said.
The event is already being marketed on the raceway’s website, and the spokesperson said it would go ahead even without the extra permissions.
“The event currently listed on our website complies with our existing licensing permissions,” the spokesperson said.
“We are awaiting approval for a premises licence variation before confirming and advertising the inclusion of live music.
“If these additional permissions are not granted, the event would still go ahead as planned; however, live music would not be included, and alcohol sales would be limited to what is permitted under our current licence.”
As part of its application, the raceway has included a long list of measures it will take to ensure the event is safely managed in line with regulations, including employing security staff, ensuring CCTV covers the main areas, and the Challenge 25 age verification process is used before alcoholic drinks are sold.
It’s not yet clear when East Devon will decide the application, but anyone wishing to comment on it must provide their representation to the council by Tuesday 14 April.
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