THE recent coverage by the Echo of the Great British Circus's visit to Waddington has appeared to be centred on animal rights issues. What about human rights?

The residents of Waddington have not been consulted on their playing field being turned over to the circus, nor do they appear to have the right to formally object.

The Waddington Playing Fields Association (WPFA) and its subsidiary charities hold in trust, on behalf of the residents of Waddington, the Sidney Hall Memorial Field.

Our county councillor made enquiries with Lincolnshire's highways department and was advised that it would struggle to make an objection.

Furthermore, an enquiry to trading standards has elicited the response that it is content with the animal welfare aspects of the event.

As North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) ward members for Waddington West and a Waddington parish councillor, we were concerned for the wellbeing of nearby residents and, as a consequence, made enquiries of other agencies.

The NKDC licensing manager advised that the Great British Circus had issued two "notification of an event" notices.

This notice does not provide for NKDC officers, councillors or residents to object; the licensing manager can only acknowledge the notice. It is not an application to hold the event.

The notification was also sent to Lincolnshire Police, in accordance with the regulations. In response to my query to the Chief Constable, the Community Safety Chief Inspector said that legislation allows the Police to object on crime and disorder grounds only and that he can find nothing that would support any Police objections on this occasion.

The Head of NKDC regulatory services has advised that, as it is a notification, his department could not prevent the event from taking place.

However, he would get his team to contact the circus in advance of them arriving and to meet with them on site as soon as they did arrive to discuss control measures that can be put in place to prevent foreseeable problems.

Careful location of facilities may have significant benefits in controlling potential problems. If the residents have complaints, it is likely that NKDC's team will be the people to deal with them, but in advance of the circus arriving it is important not to get people to complain about what might happen.

The MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham wrote to Waddington Parish Council and stated: "I would be very grateful if you would let me know what the parish council feels about the circus and whether it was consulted and whether it feels that there is any action it would like me to take".

The MP's response to our e-mail asking for his assistance was: "I am afraid that objections do have to be a matter for you as I have no grounds on which to object; this must be a matter for the parish and district council". So no assistance from that quarter.

The notification of the event only deals with what happens within the big top when the public are present. It does not cover all the other peripheral aspects.

As the second event notice expires on March 14, the circus could occupy the field for up to 25 days. During this period, the residents will probably be denied access to the recreational facilities that are rightfully theirs.

Many residents attended the Waddington Parish Council meeting on February 8 and expressed their concern at the event taking place adjacent to their own houses.

They were also amazed that neither they nor their elected representatives could formally object to the event.

Additionally, they were dumbfounded to realise that the WPFA chairman could enter into a rental agreement for the field that has been bequeathed for the good of the residents.

Tony Baxter NKDC councillor, Waddington West ROGER PRING Waddington parish councillor.