COUNCILLORS will decide next week whether to grant Reading's Campaign for Real Ale [CAMRA] an alcohol licence ahead of this year's planned beer festival.

The group normally hosts the annual festival at Kings Meadow, but were forced to change venue after the revamp of the nearby Edwardian Lido left organisers without enough space.

CAMRA has earmarked Christchurch Meadows in Caversham as its preferred destination, and have applied to Reading Borough Council for a licence to serve booze at the four-night gathering.

The group has applied to serve alcoholic drinks up until 11pm from Wednesday April 28 to Saturday April 30, and 11.45am until 8.30pm on Sunday May 1.

But Neighbours have written to the council's licensing team, expressing concerns over the plans.

Alan and Lin Godfrey, of Patrick Road, Caversham, said in a letter they would oppose a rolling year-by-year application, but would not object to a one-year licence.

The letter also said: "Christchurch Meadow is a residential area. Of particular concern is the number of people expected to attend [the festival].

"The maximum capacity is 3,400 which is a lot, especially at 'kicking out' time.

"A large part of Christchurch would be out of bounds to members of the public for the two weeks it takes for setting up/dismantling the festival itself.

"We feel that granting a rolling license does not give local residents the opportunity to 'suck it and see' which a one year licence would."

In another letter which was sent to the borough council earlier this month, Carol Goddard, added: "Christchurch Meadow is surrounded by houses with young children living in many of them.

"To have singing, dancing and making merry until 11pm on three nights and 10.30pm on the fourth night .

"Whilst I have no objection to the festival being held in Reading, I would suggest an alternative site. Rivermead is able to supply a good location which is nowhere near houses. It has car parking and an extremely good bus service going to the Caversham Road."

In a presentation prepared for council officers by CAMRA, members cited good cycle parking and the pedestrian route from Reading station via the new footbridge as reasons for picking the site.

The report also says the stage will be at least 200m away from houses, and internal barriers within the tents will dampen loud noises.

Dave Scott, one of the festival's organisers, said the festival is designed to showcase real ale and is not a music festival.

He said plans are already in place to keep noise down, adding: "Any music which is played outside the tent will not be amplified.

"We put music on so people have a good time. We are not that loud."

The application will be discussed at a licensing applications sub-committee meeting at the council's offices in Bridge Street, Reading, next Tuesday.

The meeting will start at 5pm.