RIVAL campaigns have been set up to fight for and against noisy festivals in Charlbury.

They are vying for residents’ support for limiting or keeping noise levels at major events at the West Oxfordshire town.

The Charlbury Noise Limitation Group is objecting to events such as the Wilderness Festival, the Riverside Festival and Charlbury Beer Festival, which all feature live music.

But the Support Charlbury Events Facebook group says the events make the town a “thriving living community” and accused rivals of “nimbyism”.

It comes after Cornbury Park won a licence from West Oxfordshire District Council to increase the number of events of up to 19,999 people to three.

Only one can be a music festival. The Cornbury Festival is moving to Great Tew this year, with the new Wilderness Festival being held at Cornbury Park.

Noise Limitation Group founder Mark Hofman said: “I’m concerned, with a lot of people in Charlbury, because of the potential for noise.”

Mr Hofman, who is appealing against the Cornbury licence through the courts, said: “The Licensing Act says that the local authority has an obligation to try and prevent nuisance, including noise. We didn’t think the council has done what is needed in order to do that.”

He is seeking a reduction in festival noise in the town centre from 65 decibels to a yet-to-be decided lower limit.

But Dave Oates, 47, founder of the Facebook group, said Mr Hofman’s plans could jeopardise other events. Mr Hofman said further licence appeals were “not on the cards at this point”.

Mr Oates said: “This group of people seem to want Charlbury to be a sleepy, peaceful chocolate box village. But actually that isn’t what Charlbury is about.”

He said: “A lot of it’s nimbyism, to be honest.”

Mr Oates plays guitar in 1,000 Mile Highway and has performed at Cornbury Festival and the Riverside Festival.

He said: “When you’re doing outdoor music there’s a level where sound will get lost if it’s too quiet because you’re in a big open space.”

The group yesterday had 154 Facebook “likes” and 353 signatures of support on an online petition.

Mr Hofman’s appeal will be heard on May 5 at Banbury Magistrates’ Court.

Cornbury owner Lady Rotherwick declined to comment.

The issue is expected to be raised during Charlbury’s annual town meeting at the War Memorial Hall tomorrow at 8pm.