LOUD music “lasting for hours” has left residents living close to Priory Park frustrated after a summer packed full of festivals.

A series of successful festivals proved a hit in the Southend park this summer, but residents have lodged a series of complaints with councillors over late-night music.

The Lazy Days Festival, Ibiza Orchestra Live and the Sausage and Cider Festival were all hits, with the park being named as the city’s new mecca for music festivals.

But in a council meeting, Tory councillor David Garston and his Prittlewell ward colleagues, raised concerns about the “very loud music causing annoyance to residents”.

Kevin Buck, also a councillor for Prittlewell, added: “We’re all aware of the noise nuisance issue from the live events in Priory Park being experienced by residents.

“The majority of the complaints appear to be when events are on in the evenings and, or, at weekends.There is a fine balance between supporting these popular events in Priory Park and the residents being affected by them.

“We’ve reported the noise and antisocial behaviour issues and are waiting for council officers to respond with their findings.

“We will continue to work with all to reach an acceptable solution, so these popular events may continue, but residents are not unduly affected by them too late at night.”

Mr Garston asked Kevin Robinson, Labour councillor for regeneration, major projects and regulatory services, “what inspection, if any, takes place whilst these outdoor events are taking place”.

Mr Robinson explained organisers “must notify surrounding residents of the event”, and “they are always required to monitor the noise”.

He added: “All large events are taken to the council’s safety advisory group where advice is given on controlling noise.

“However, once an application is made regulatory services will require a noise management plan from the organisers.

“The organiser must notify surrounding residents of the event and give a contact number for them to report if nuisance is being experienced. The organiser is always required to monitor the noise and ensure it is within the criteria agreed with the council.

“Compliance with the noise management plan will be a condition of the licence. Following the event a post-event report is required. The council issues a permit for events on its land, and it is made clear on this permit the council has a right to cancel or not permit an event in the future.

“They are prestige events which are good for the city, however, noise volume does need to be monitored.”