New plans to allow Kingston Council to approve film screenings and showcase live music in Canbury Gardens have been criticised by residents over the “woefully inadequate” toilet facilities in the area.

Speaking at a Licensing Sub-Committee this week [January 20], resident Victoria Barlow raised the issue of an “inelegant problem” that meant people often relieved themselves in the “shrubbery” due to the lack of lavatories.

She said: “I’m afraid at the moment people who walk around the area with their dogs find that lots of people tend to go off into the, dare I say, shrubbery. Which is rather unpleasant, especially if you have animals that run in and out of there.

“It seems to be woefully inadequate in terms of lavatories anywhere along that area.”

Rob Waite, the applicant for Kingston Council, acknowledged that it was important to consider the number of toilets, and said visitors were able to use The Boaters Inn pub, and that larger events would have to provide more public toilets and portaloos.

Ms Barlow said the facilities at The Boaters “were not large” and did not have many bathrooms.

She also criticised the lack of bins, noise, and issues with traffic, which she worried would be “exacerbated” if the licence went ahead.

She said: “Our experience so far in the summer, and with events that are currently taking place, is that we do get a considerable amount of noise. Which is understandable, but the issues that we have at the moment will only be exacerbated.

She said revellers often stick around after having “copious amounts of alcohol” and bins are always overflowing by Monday morning.

“It’s a nuisance that needs addressing if you are going to do more events,” she said.

However, Mr Waite said the council did not anticipate an increase in the number of events in the park, but the license was needed to “consolidate” various temporary events notices that had become “a burden” due to the amount of paperwork.

There were 12 free afternoon concert events between June and September last year.

The application received six written objections, many citing noise and rubbish issues.

However Ms Barlow said she was the only one who could attend the meeting in person, because it was scheduled on a Monday morning when most people are at work.

One resident wrote in to say the gardens were “one of the few places in Kingston that offers a respite from the crowds and frantic busyness of the town,” while another said they were “horrified”  at the idea they could be subjected to more concerts in the future.

The application was approved, allowing the council to make decisions on applications for events between 6pm and 11pm Thursday to Sunday.

Applicants must still go through the council before an event can take place.

Committee Chair Cllr Simon Edwards said he would add increased bin provision and the need to identify toilet facilities according to capacity to the conditions outlined in the license.

He also advised that concerts and films should only last “about two hours within the license period” in order to mitigate any potential harm from noise.