Villagers have raised concerns after an events company applied for a licence to stage weddings at Macclesfield Forest.

Louis Smith and Sandy Weston have applied to play music and sell alcohol on land next to the forest offices on Ridgegate Road, Langley.

If approved, the events could be held between midday and midnight on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.

Mr Smith, 33, who grew up in Sutton and runs the Thirst Aid mobile bar business with Mr Weston, said they are looking to host weddings in tents on the site and that it would only be used for a maximum of 30 dates throughout the year.

But residents are concerned the events could ruin the peace and tranquillity of the forest.

They posted objections on Facebook, with concerns over noise, increased traffic and anti-social behaviour.

Coun Hilda Gaddum, Cheshire East councillor for Sutton, said: “It’s the wrong place for it. I’m totally against it.

“The joy of the forest is the peace and tranquillity for the enjoyment of the majority of people.

“United Utilities has put a lot of money into the forest for visitors. The noise could carry across Langley, it will be very intrusive. The forest gives a feeling of wildness and this will ruin it. There’s a lot of bad feeling over parking already and this will add to the tension between residents and visitors. It’s appalling, people are very angry.”

But Mr Smith, said: “We are local guys with our own business applying to have temporary wedding venues. We will put up tents on Fridays, for a wedding on Saturday, and take the tents down on Sunday.

“There will be a maximum of 150 guests and we have 30 possible dates through the year.”

He said there will be parking for 50 cars on the site and rent paid to United Utilities - which owns and manages the forest - will be put back into the forest.

Polly Rourke, from United Utilities, said the weddings will be for a trial period. She said: “It gives us a chance to use a piece of our estate, which is not normally open to the public, for events which are similar in size to ones that are already held in the forest.

“We don’t think this will cause disruption to visitors or residents and the income will help maintain the facilities that visitors enjoy.”

The site is occasionally used for recreational events such as orienteering, charitable events, educational visits, and Christmas tree sales.

Representations should be made by March 16 to The Licensing Section, Cheshire East Council, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ.