The Hillingdon Council Licensing Sub-Committee has refused a premises licence for the proposed Susegad Beatz 2026 music festival, citing significant concerns over public safety, noise nuisance, and inadequate planning.
The decision, delivered last Thursday (11 June), affects the planned event at Harlington School Grounds, which was expected to attract up to 5,000 attendees.
The applicant, Goan Musical Events (UK) Limited, had sought permission to host a one-day cultural and music event on July 26, 2026, featuring live amplified music, dance performances, and alcohol sales. However, the sub-committee found that the application lacked site-specific details, including a robust framework for crowd management, security staffing, and emergency evacuation procedures. The Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority noted that the Event Management Plan (EMP) was "vague" and "woefully unprepared".
Public safety and security concerns were prominent, with the proposed security staffing plan deemed insufficient for an alcohol-led event of 5,000 people. The committee also raised concerns regarding emergency access, medical provision, and safeguarding, arguing that the applicant's plans were inadequate for the risk profile. Additionally, Goals Heathrow, a business located adjacent to the school grounds, formally objected to the application, stating that the applicant had no legal right of access across their land for vehicle movements or emergency routes.
The Council's Environmental Protection team raised a formal objection regarding the prevention of public nuisance, arguing that the proposed noise levels were unrealistic and would likely cause widespread disturbance to residents living near the site in Hillingdon. The sub-committee also found the plans for waste management and litter control to be inadequate for a festival of this magnitude. In contrast to an earlier hearing, which approved a separate application for a Goan music event at the SkyEx Community Stadium, the committee concluded that granting the licence for the event would undermine the four licensing objectives, and refusal was the only "appropriate and proportionate" response.
