A person manages a prominent outdoor pursuits centre in Nottinghamshire and intends to maintain positive relations with nearby residents after receiving complaints from locals who are concerned the venue is turning into a theme park. Walesby Forest, an adventure activities complex located around two miles from Ollerton along Brake Road, offers more than 30 different activities from its site along with lodging facilities for visitors. The establishment could previously welcome as many as 4,999 guests at functions, but secured permission on Thursday to boost the limit to 9,999 visitors, in addition to longer opening times for evening food and drink service. The charitable trust delivers experiences intended to teach visitors within an enjoyable and secure environment in the heart of Sherwood Forest. The centre arranges festivals and celebrations including fireworks on bonfire night and an upcoming vegan camping weekend to bring in income, however these sizable gatherings have led to unease among local householders. Walesby Forest’s chief executive, Guy Laurie, explained that the centre would strive to maintain good relations with the community. A man who has lived on Brake Road for 15 years raised objections that the venue was becoming a theme park and that people living locally felt disregarded. He said the community supported the concept in principle, and that it was positive to see young people using the countryside. He considered that admirable, but the main issue was the disturbance the site creates, which could be severe during festivals and bonfire nights. A woman who has resided on Brake Road for more than 50 years described the centre as a worthwhile charity but pointed out that grievances about its events had gone on for a decade. She explained that the main worry was during summer when numerous festivals take place, and in winter when they hold their large bonfire night event. The resident noted that horses are kept along Brake Road, and most local people have dogs. During one summer event, she remembered a glass of water moving on her table from the sound, and her acquaintances in Tuxford, almost six miles away, could hear it too. She added that there was no justification for having such loud fireworks, noting that Centre Parcs had stopped them a few years back because of environmental reasons. It did not seem like they cared about the village, she continued, and there were other ways to make money without staging noisy events. Meanwhile, another resident of 30 years, Kenneth Newton, said the venue should be allowed to operate and that it did not affect him personally. He considered it a positive thing and said truthfully it had not been problematic, with no issues observed. The LDRS met Mr Laurie at the site to talk about the concerns. He said they were cooperating with the council to resolve the issues. All significant events must go through the Safety Advisory Group at Newark and Sherwood District Council. They collaborate with all official bodies, the emergency services, council and highways authorities, and are required to fully meet what the SAG demands. There had been noise problems, he acknowledged, and they have a management strategy in place, with event promoters needing to document sound levels to submit to the council when necessary. They wanted to be a good neighbour, he said, and wanted to provide activities for local villages and children. However, they are a charity, and funding had become increasingly difficult following the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. They would not become a major events venue, he stated. The fireworks display had been running for nine years, and taking into account what local people had said, they had relocated the fireworks further away from the perimeter near the horses and other animals. As a charity they were legally required to generate a surplus, but had needed to adapt. According to the council, the new licence allows the full 9,999 capacity only for scout and girl guide events.