Music festival to go ahead – despite planning refusal

A music festival is to go ahead next weekend – despite a planning application to host it being refused this week.

Wiltshire Throwback Festival is a two‑day music festival being held at Oakfield Stadium in Melksham next Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27.

The festival, branded as ‘WTF26!’ features a line-up including platinum-selling London rapper Professor Green, chart-toppers Liberty X, Amelle from all-girl pop band Sugababes, and Jon Lee & Jo O’Meara from S Club 7.

Late‑90s UK R&B boy band Another Level, London R&B/hip‑hop collective Big Brovaz, UK garage outfit DJ Pied Piper and MC DT, Manchester garage act Sweet Female Attitude, and British ninja‑masked Radio 1 DJ Jaguar Skills are also on the bill.

Last year, in the run-up to the inaugural festival, Wiltshire Council rejected a planning application on ecological grounds, saying that land at the edge of the stadium site needed to be protected from trampling.

Ultimately, a licence was granted and the festival went ahead.

This year, festival organisers resubmitted their application for planning permission – and has been rejected again on ecological grounds, and because of noise pollution concerns.

Organisers have appealed against the decision, effectively putting the planning process on ice and allowing the festival to continue.

In May, Bowerhill-based events company Jarboom asked Wiltshire Council for planning permission to hold the festival at the stadium, which is the joint home of Melksham’s football and rugby clubs.

It told the council it wanted to double the size of the audience to 5,000 18+ ticket-holders on each day.

And it requested permission for a second, smaller stage on the site, catering for 80s music lovers, to “enhance the festival experience.”

But on June 17 – less than a fortnight before the event – the council refused the planning application.

During the 30-day consultation period the council’s Public Protection team said “the submitted Noise Management Plan is insufficient to assess the likely impacts of noise on residential amenity.”

And a last-minute objection by the council’s ecology officer said: “Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposal would avoid significant harm to habitats and species.”

Meanwhile, Melksham Town Council supported the application, “on the basis that it is a one-off event only and granting permission does not establish a right for multiple events.”

And Melksham Without Parish Council said it “Welcomes this application and reflected positively on the successful running of the previous event, noting effective crowd management, good security arrangements, minimal traffic issues and positive police feedback.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Friday (June 19), Nico Menghini of Jarboom said: “We are naturally disappointed by Wiltshire Council’s decision to refuse the planning application for WTF26!, particularly as we have worked extensively to address the concerns raised during the 2025 process.

“The reasons cited relate primarily to the wildlife area located alongside the pedestrian route to the festival site and the assessment of our Noise Management Plan.

“We had proposed additional mitigation measures, including fencing to protect the wildlife area, and submitted a comprehensive noise management strategy based on the same successful procedures implemented during WTF25!, which received no formal noise complaints and was praised by stakeholders for its effective management.

“We firmly believe these matters can be satisfactorily resolved and have already begun the process of appealing the decision.

“We remain confident in our plans and are continuing to work closely with all relevant parties to ensure the event is delivered safely, responsibly, and in line with all requirements.”

And he added: “Most importantly, WTF26! is going ahead as planned.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome thousands of festival-goers back to Oakfields Stadium.

“The support from our community, ticket holders, local businesses, and partners has been phenomenal, and we remain committed to delivering our biggest and best festival yet.

“With ticket sales continuing strongly and only a limited number remaining, we can’t wait to bring people together from across Wiltshire and beyond for another unforgettable weekend of music, entertainment, and community spirit.”

Wiltshire Council has been approached for comment.