Festival Psy-Fi is cancelled: license destroyed by court. Decision hits like a bomb at the festival organization

The decision hit the festival organization like a bomb on Friday afternoon. “Terrible news,” says festival leader Pieter Spoelstra. ,,We are very sorry, also for Leeuwarden.” The festival was planned from 14 to 17 September.

The judge is so clear in his rulings that it will be very difficult to put up a defense against it, Spoelstra expects. “We would start decorating on September 2.” Before that time, legal proceedings are almost no longer possible: “That is useless.”

Appeal registered

In July, the lawsuit about the license took place in Groningen. It revolved around the temporary environmental permit that the municipality granted to Psy-Fi in April. The Provincial Executive issued a statement of no reservations. The Green Star Foundation lodged an appeal against the permit.

The court now concludes that the way in which the guidelines for nature and noise were included in the permit granting was not satisfactory. It is important for the court that interested parties have not been given sufficient opportunity to inform themselves and to submit opinions.

When it comes to noise, the municipality has “incorrectly standardized the noise level.” According to the court, this was also confirmed by the municipality during the hearing. “For this reason alone, it cannot be assumed that a good living and living climate is guaranteed,” the ruling reads.

Moved to September

The festival was moved to September this year, because the breeding season is over by then. The consequences for nature would be less severe in September. However, the court finds that the way in which the consequences for animals are included in the licensing is not good.

According to the court, the permit therefore “qualifies for destruction”. The municipality must reimburse more than 1500 euros in legal costs and also pay other costs.

The judge also considered the ban on the sale of laughing gas, which the municipality had imposed on Psy-Fi. The festival contested this measure in court, but in vain. The municipality had policy freedom and a good motivation for the ban, the court concluded.