A BUSINESSMAN has been told he will not be allowed to launch an annual festival in West Mersea’s historic shipyard.

Nick Moffat applied to start up a food, drink and music festival which would run for three days at the Victory Moorings yard in Coast Road.

An annual fun fair is already held at the site and has done so for more than 30 years.

In his bid to Colchester Council, Mr Moffat said he wants to operate pop-up events for short periods of time.

Gazette: Picturesque - the festival was proposed for West MerseaPicturesque - the festival was proposed for West Mersea (Image: Newsquest)

He submitted a proposed use application, which would allow him to temporarily change the site’s function from storage to commercial, business and service when running an event.

But the town hall rejected his bid, stating it would breach permitted development rights as the land is within the curtilage of a building.

The decision followed objections from residents concerned about the effect of the proposed festival.

One wrote: “This is primarily a residential area and no proposals have been made that would mitigate the impact on residential amenity.

Gazette: Flooded - the festival would have been held at the shipyard in Coast RoadFlooded - the festival would have been held at the shipyard in Coast Road (Image: Newsquest)

“The boatyard includes a car park, the use which may not be available for public use during the event causing congestion elsewhere.”

They claimed provision for events and festivals already exists on the island.

Another objector echoed concerns about a perceived lack of parking during the proposed festival.

“This site offers a summer car park which is a necessity with ever-increasing visitors to the island,” they wrote.

Gazette: Thrown out - Colchester Council rejected the festival planThrown out - Colchester Council rejected the festival plan (Image: Newsquest)

“This site already hosts a fun fair in August which means the car park is out of action at an extremely busy time.”

Mr Moffat told Colchester Council he has not had to apply for planning permission during past events he has hosted but was told to this time.

He stated in his application: “I do not intend to build any permanent structures on site to accommodate events, everything will be easily removable and taken down immediately after an event.

“The aim is to have pop-up events for short periods of time, for example three to four days.”