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# Fruit farm seeking permission to for outdoor music and performances
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/fruit-farm-seeking-permission-to-host-outdoor-music-and-performances/
- Published: 2026-10-02T06:45:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T06:45:51.000Z
- Description: Lichfield District Council to consider application after residents objected to licence application.
- Author: Jonathan Sutton, Local Democracy Reporter
- Tags: News, Business

A LOCAL fruit farm is seeking a premises licence to allow outdoor music and performances of plays.

Manor Farm Fruits, based on Watling Street in Hints, says the activity will focus during the daytime and not late night entertainment.

The farm, which runs annual pick-your-own and seasonal events, wants the licence to run 9am until 8pm Monday to Thursday and 9am until 10pm Friday to Sunday.

But the application has received 16 formal objections.

[ ](#) 

Conditions have been agreed with Staffordshire Police, which includes the use and management of CCTV.

However, because of the concerns by residents a licensing hearing has been scheduled. This means it will be up to councillors at Lichfield District Council to decide whether to grant the licence.

The main concern from residents relates to noise, with some stating that amplified sounds can already be heard in the village. Other issues related to the open-ended nature of the licence, which could mean live music being played year round.

Resident Ian Reeley said:

> "I have personally experienced noise disturbance associated with previous seasonal activities at Manor Farm Fruits, particularly during the October pumpkin festival.  
>  
> "I mention this not as criticism of the business, nor to suggest that disturbance occurs continually, but because it demonstrates that noise generated by existing seasonal activities at the site can already affect neighbouring residents."

Fellow local resident Mark Long suggested that conditions be added to the licence so that music could be limited to defined periods and limiting the number of event days.

He said:

> "I am concerned that the licence appears wider than is necessary for occasional seasonal events and could allow outdoor entertainment to take place more frequently in the future.  
>  
> "My particular concern is noise from previous events where amplified music can be clearly heard inside my home and garden, creating disturbance during the evening which concerns us as we live so close to the premises.  
>  
> "Hints is a small rural community with relatively low background noise, particularly during the evening. Outdoor amplified entertainment can therefore have a significant effect on nearby residents."

In a six-page statement of support, Simon Clarke from Manor Farm Fruits said that in 2024 an acoustic consultant advised the farm they were operating within the required sound levels.

It added that the majority of events are in the daytime and are family focused:

> "Manor Farm Fruits has spent more than 50 years welcoming families onto the farm, supporting local employment and connecting children with farming, food and the countryside.  
>  
> "Our ambition is not to become a late-night entertainment venue – it is simply to ensure that Manor Farm Fruits can continue to adapt, remain viable and welcome future generations of families while being a responsible and considerate neighbour."

The licensing sub-committee at Lichfield District Council will discuss the application at a meeting on 14th October.

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