Camden New Journal - by SUNITA RAPPAI Published: 26 July 2007
Concerts put out to pasture?
A proposed new site for the controversial Kenwood House concerts was unveiled on Thursday.
The site – in an area known as the pasture ground near the historic Hampstead house – was inspected by more than 50 residents.
Concert chiefs, English Heritage and IMG, hope the new site will will ease fears about noise levels and visual intrusion, which prompted Town Hall restrictions blamed for the cancellation of this summer’s concert programme.
Last year’s floating stage, introduced by concert chiefs to cut noise, caused outrage among conservation groups who called it an “eyesore”.
Stephen Dee, who heads IMG’s arts and entertainment division, said the new stage would be on-site for about eight weeks.
Plans are for a shorter season of eight concerts with a capacity of 10,000 per concert rather than 10 concerts with a capacity of 8000.
Tony Ghilchik, from the Heath and Hampstead Society, said: “They are moving in the right direction. There are advantages to this site. If they can solve a few comparatively minor things, it is a better option than the floating stage.”
A new licence application is expected to be made in September.