MARCH shopkeeper turned pop impresario Matthew Broadfield faces a showdown with council officials over his plans to attract 3,500 fans to an all day music festival.

A licensing hearing will take place next Wednesday at which Mr Broadfield will be quizzed over policing, health and safety, access and noise issues relating to the planned August 27 festival.

Simon Webbe, garage duo Artful Dodger, DJ Luck and MC Neat, Roll Deep’s DJ Target and MC Manga, and girl group Fe-nix are among those lined up for the festival planned for Grounds Auction Field, Knights End Road, March.

However representations from Fenland Council’s environmental health team and from Cambridgeshire police have prevented the issuing of a premises license to allow the event to go ahead.

Mr Broadfield will have to convince the committee he has, or can, overcome the objections in time to allow the event to continue.

Inspector Rob Hill, March sector commander, says it is his belief “that issuing this license will impact on the licensing objectives of crime and disorder and public safety.”

Laura Bradley, environmental protection officer, said “unsatisfactory measures “are in place regarding noise nuisance, health and safety and food hygiene.

She said: “The information that has been provided is insufficient, noise nuisance has had little consideration and risk assessments are not site specific or provide a suitable level of detail.

“Information is not focused on this event and the management plan does not consider the full three days or full hours the site will be occupied.”

In a 108 page report to the committee, council officials say at least one of the caterers on the list of food businesses “appears not to be registered with a local authority.” This, says the council, is against the law.

The council also says a management plan drawn up by organisers for contractors working on the festival is inadequate and needs up dating.