Mint Festival 2023 to go ahead at Newsam Green Farm despite concerns of Leeds neighbours

Mint Festival is due to held at Newsam Green Farm over the weekend of September 23-24, after Leeds City Council approved licences for the event to go ahead. The festival was called off last year on what would have been its 10th anniversary, having been held on the farm in 2021.

The prospect of its return was greeted with objections from four neighbours, who cited fears about excessive noise, drugs and anti-social behaviour linked to previous editions of the event. But a panel of three councillors unanimously agreed to let the festival take place following a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall this week.

In their verdict, read aloud at the end of the hearing, the panel said “lessons had been learnt from events held previously” and measures put in place at the police’s insistence should address the concerns raised.

They said: “As has been the case elsewhere, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the people of Leeds and district have been deprived of the opportunity to take part in a wide range of cultural events and activities. The committee was of the opinion that the applicant had demonstrated a very responsible approach to the promotion of the licensing objectives and in the detail it’s continuing to work on.”

Up to 7,500 revellers will be allowed at the festival on each of the two days this year, though capacity may rise to up to 9,999 in future years.