A woodland wedding venue is applying for planning permission which could see it hold events anytime between May and September.

Longton Wood is set within an area of planted ancient woodland at Friningham Farm in Coldblow Lane, Thurnham.

The 2.1-hectare site is currently used as a wedding and events venue under permitted development rights for a maximum of 28 days per year.

They usually take place at weekends, with organisers invited to set up on Friday and pack up on Sunday.

If granted the planning permission would allow a change of use for the land, previously coppiced for timber, to a wedding and events venue with camping area, for an unrestricted number of days between May and September.

Hirers get the use of a “fairtyale” outdoor woodland ceremony area with a wooden “altar”, and temporary seating, while a marquee provides a place for entertainment powered by a mobile generator.

The applicant said lighting would be kept to a minimum and speakers inside the marquee would be angled away from the doors, so that light and sound did not disturb the woodland wildlife or neighbours.

There is also a nearby car park for 40 vehicles and a camping field, which the retrospective permission would legitimise.

The site also wants permission for a toilet and shower block it erected four years ago.

Neighbour Roderick Macleod, of Coldblow Lane, said although he had no objection to the use as a wedding venue in principle, any permission would have to have conditions attached.

He said a previous two-day commercially ticketed event at the site had resulted in “very severe” traffic problems.

He said: “Taxis and private cars dropping off attendees created a two-way traffic flow at peak times which the mainly single-track lanes could not accommodate, while the event also generated significant and rowdy pedestrian traffic up to midnight.

“Consideration should be given to conditions prohibiting larger commercial, ticketed or public-access events.

“That event also generated significant quantities of litter on the lanes, notably along Coldblow Lane, Water Lane and the Pilgrims Way, which local residents had to pick up.

Amplified music has been clearly audible over a mile away

“The waste included empty cans, crates and spent nitrous oxide canisters.”

He added: “Amplified music from past events has been clearly audible over a mile away. Noise control measures should be a condition attached to any consent.”

Find details of the application here.

Application number 23/502955 refers.