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Music festival organisers have pulled the plug on their plans for an event at a boating lake blaming a wave of opposition based on incorrect information.
Bar owner Danny Potts was hoping to hold the weekend-long event by draining the Boating Pool in Ramsgate to host 3,000 people at the seafront venue.
The plans were due to be discussed by Thanet District Council's licensing committee this week but Mr Potts pulled the project before the meeting on Tuesday.
The festival would have taken place on September 14 and 15 featuring Heather Small from M People and then on the August Bank Holiday weekend from 2020.
But Mr Potts says residents criticising the application based on incorrect assertions not included in his plans and a lack of co-operation from the council were the reasons behind his decision to step away.
Mr Potts, who runs the Sea Lounge bar in Broadstairs, had hoped to take over the lease for the Boating Pool on Royal Esplanade - which is owned by the council - from the current operator.
He said: "It's a shame because I had great intentions to make it one of the best places in Ramsgate.
"There was no need for it to go as far as it did with the complaints when they clearly had not read the application.
"The residents were saying it's a 3am licence and that wasn't true. A lot of rumours were put about and the council weren't playing ball.
"I just thought if I get that now what happens when I'm in there.
'There was no need for it to go as far as it did with the complaints when they clearly had not read the application,' applicant Danny Potts
"I don't need it but I love the boating pool and had great plans for it. I'm half gutted and half happy I've had to walk away."
Mr Potts says the music festival planned for September is now moving to the Margate Winter Gardens.
The event will take place over two Friday nights - one an 80s night and the other a 90s night with live acts and local bands - and he is finalising details with venue managers and agents.
An announcement for the dates is expected to be confirmed next week.
But the plans for the boating lake are dead in the water which Mr Potts said went beyond the music festival he wanted to host.
"I wanted new bumper boats and new paddling pool," he added. "We wanted the music festival once a year and a winter wonderland.
"We had an ice rink booked in and a food and drink festival booked as well.
"They were the three events we were going to have on the calendar. They are completely gone now."
TDC's estates department raised objections to the music festival plans saying they would breach the lease agreement with the council.
"If people in the area and TDC don't want change then they don't have it," Mr Potts added.
"It's very frustrating when you've got councillors behind the plans and residents who saw the plans and said it would be good.
"It would've brought in jobs and tourism and been great for the area so let it sit there now the way it is. It's a tourist town and we need the revenue."
Thanet District Council has been contacted to comment.
