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Chirs Evans has never enjoyed a reputation as the quietest of DJs.
So when he rolled up in a quiet country village with a convoy of classic car enthusiasts and two rock bands in tow, those hoping for a tranquil bank holiday weekend there were always in for disappointment.
Well-heeled residents of Overton yesterday told of a nightmare as Ferraris and motorbikes clogged the country lanes, bringing chaos to the normally peaceful Hampshire countryside over several days.
Motoring fanatic: Chris Evans has upset those in Overton, Hampshire, after he arrived to host CarFest in this vintage car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Around 20,000 festival-goers descended on the CarFest event – hosted by Evans on Saturday and Sunday – that aims to raise money for the BBC's Children In Need charity.
Rock bands Razorlight and Texas helped Radio 2 DJ Evans – who has a collection of classic cars including a 1967 Mustang and two Ferraris – entertain the crowds in the 2,500-acre grounds of Laverstoke Farm Park, owned by South African former Formula One champion Jody Scheckter.
But peeved neighbours claim they were not properly consulted about the festival.
Mark Davies, the chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, who lives with his wife and five children next to the farm's main entrance, said: 'We could be faced with an event like Glastonbury every year. We did not object to it entirely, but we asked at a meeting for arrangements to be changed and we were told there would be no compromise.'
Festival: The event, which saw supercars on display attratcted as many as 20,000 visitors
Mr Davies and his wife had watched in horror as huge lorries arrived earlier this month and miles of fencing was erected around their five-bedroom home.
He added: 'We didn't know about it until the whole thing had been agreed and Chris Evans announced it on Radio 2.'
Noisy: Evans at CarFest, which he said had been 'wonderful'
One of the family's three horses, Lockie, was released from its stable on Friday night as fans arrived for the festival, and later found startled and roaming the garden.
Residents say they have been under siege with traffic, hordes of festival-goers, 24-hour generators and light shining directly into their homes, stopping them sleeping.
Neville Barnes, 58, a conference organiser whose family also lives near the site, said: 'We have had to put up with convoys of lorries down our narrow lanes, constant noise and it isn't as if it has helped local business. Outside companies were brought in.
'It is a strange situation when a house owner needs permission to build a porch, but a large landowner needs almost no permission to hold a car and music festival next to people's houses.'
More than 170 residents have urged Basingstoke & Deane borough council to change the licence arrangements.
Businessman Ian Harrison, 48, who lives with his family near one of the entrances, said: 'It has been a horrible experience for residents and our fear is it will get bigger.'
But Evans, who hopes to raise more than 1million for Children In Need with a second event in Cheshire, told the BBC: 'We're very pleased how the first CarFest has gone – it has been wonderful.'
A BBC spokesman refused to comment on allegations about the chaos caused to neighbours' lives.
Mr Scheckter said in a statement: 'We were delighted to host this very special event to raise much-needed funds for Children In Need.
'We have had overwhelming positive feedback regarding CarFest from local residents and visitors alike, all commenting on how very well run the family event has been and on the part of the local residents a total lack of any disruption with traffic, noise or crime.'
Entertainment: Indie rock band Razorlight were among those to provide entertainment at the divisive festival
Yes, wonderful for you Chris............ But, what about everyone else ???.............................................
- F H, Sick Dickensian Britain..., 28/8/2012 06:20
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