PLANS have been submitted for a new food and music event in Mersea Island.
Businessman Nick Moffat wants to stage a huge entertainment event called Rock The Dock on Mersea Island every August.
Blueprints submitted to Colchester Council show Mr Moffat wants to use a boatyard at Victory Moorings, in Victory Dock, for the three-day festival.
Stocks Funfair has been held at the site for the past 40 years, however, the contract was not renewed for this year.
Held across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Rock The Dock will boast live music, a fully licensed bar and street food vendors.
Previous plans submitted to Colchester Council were refused, before a full planning application was filed earlier this year.
This has since been withdrawn and replaced with a new application seeking a temporary change of use of the site for occasional events.
Residents, however, have now voiced concerns about the prospect of a new music festival in the area.
One said: “Coast Road is primarily a residential road with walking visitors and locals for its beautiful coastal path and hill leading to assorted eateries.
"It is not suitable for any events disturbing its tranquillity or trade.
“Users of similar events have used our garden to urinate, sleep, or even worse when drunk.”
Another resident fears "traffic chaos and misery for residents", seeing as the festival will take place at the same time at the Mersea Regatta.
They said: "This weekend sees the population of Mersea expanding exponentially - this festival would only add to the misery.
"It will cause a noise nuisance for residents. West Mersea simply has no infrastructure to hold such events."
The proposed site for the event already has approval for a car park during the summer months when the boats are offshore.
The land is also said to be “partially shielded” from the nearby dwellings by the Sea Food at Dawn restaurant, out buildings and The Victory Inn.
A spokesman for the applicant said: “We trust with this application you will appreciate the opportunity we have to showcase Mersea Island to a wider public.
"This will contribute to your stated aim of helping tourism in East Anglia and more particularly contributing to local employment and economy.”
Colchester Council will have the final say.
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