IT was not a problem the Romans ever encountered when they wanted to set up camp in York.

Plans to stage a living history Roman camp in the grounds of Grays Court, near the Minster, have been cancelled at the 11th hour – because the historic property is not licensed to stage the event.

The camp, part of York’s Roman Festival, was intended to feature educational displays and talks on subjects such as weapons and artillery, medicine, religion, woodturning and cooking, while children could try being a Roman soldier.

But Green councillor Dave Taylor, a long-standing supporter of the festival who claims the camp would have been “quiet and unproblematic”, said a local resident had objected and it had now transpired such an enactment would come under the licensing authority’s jurisdiction.

“Re-enactment is regarded as a form of a drama or a play, and Gray’s Court is not currently licensed to perform plays,” he said.

He said the venue could have sought a temporary event notice, but had not realised it would need to approach the licensing authority, as no drinks were going to be sold.

However, the camp will still go ahead at a different venue, after the landlord of The Black Swan Inn in Peasholme Green agreed to it being sited in the car park behind the pub which is already fully licensed for such an event.

Festival organiser Keith Mulhearn said all the activities which would have taken place at Grays Court would now be staged there, and while there was no grass, York Maze had donated bales of straw to provide seating and cover the Tarmac.

Lesley Cooke, City of York Council’s senior licensing officer, said re-enactments came under the definition of a stage play if there was an audience, and were therefore licensable.

“Grays Court does have a premise licence; however, this does not cover the provision of stage plays.

“One option would have been to apply for a temporary event notice for this event, but unfortunately this wasn’t done in time, so the organisers have had to find an alternative venue.”