Greenwich Council Gives Nod to 430-Person Rave in Charlton Bunker
Plans for a 430-strong rave in an underground Charlton bunker have been greenlit by Greenwich Council. The event, dubbed Rave in the Park, kicks off at 10pm on April 29 and will run until 5.30am the next day.
Past Complaints Spark Concerns But Organiser Stands Firm
Andy Mills, the man behind the rave, has organised five previous events nearby. Those got over 30 complaints – including from residents in Newham across the river – and even earned him a warning letter.
At a licensing meeting on March 8, Mills claimed the Newham complaints were wrongly linked to his events. He said Greenwich officials confirmed some local complaints targeted the wrong venue.
“There have been a lot of complaints and stuff like that, but none of them have ever been proven to be myself,” Mills insisted. “I have a strong background in noise, sound, and production. I build music festivals and other events, and I do everything I can to ensure that they run smoothly and without incident.”
Safety Fears and Crime Stats Hot up Debate
Meanwhile, PC Bobb raised safety concerns, warning that Woolwich Riverside – near the bunker – has the borough’s highest crime record. He suggested eventgoers could risk falling prey to gangs, assaults, or muggings.
But licensing agent Darryl Crossman pointed out PC Bobb hadn’t backed up his fears with crime figures. Crossman stressed Mills’ track record for successful events and said switching the rave underground to Bunker 51 was a smart move to curb noise complaints.
“The sound will be restricted and noise completely limited to attract zero complaints from residents,” Crossman said.
Measures in Place to Keep Rave Calm and Safe
Mills’ application outlined additional safety steps, including signs urging patrons to respect neighbours and stewards guiding people quietly away after the party ends.
Greenwich Council’s licensing subcommittee gave final approval for the event on March 15, meaning April’s late-night party is all systems go.
