Post by Taxigirl on Nov 27, 2003 10:07:29 GMT
Next year's Glastonbury Festival has been given the go-ahead, despite attempts by residents to stop it.
Mendip District Council granted festival founder Michael Eavis a public entertainment licence at a meeting on Wednesday evening.
Police and the fire service supported Mr Eavis's application following the success of this year's event at Worthy Farm, Pilton, in Somerset.
The three-day concert, which attracts some of the world's biggest bands, will be held from 25 to 27 June next year.
Some local residents raised objections to the festival, which they say causes disruption to those living near the site.
Joanne Benner, of Pilton Parish Council, was against the festival: "The site and the applicant are unsuitable - they were just lucky this year that the police managed to deter some people who would have caused trouble."
But councillors ruled 10 to one in favour of the event, as long as a number of conditions, including limiting ticket numbers to 150,000, are met.
And those who help make sure the festival runs smoothly have pledged to improve crime, safety and noise problems.
Crime cut
Chief Superintendent Mark Thomson of Avon and Somerset Police said: "We had a huge decrease in crime this year.
"Next year we will have more police in the tented areas to check on people who take advantage of the music to go and rifle through people's tents."
The decision was welcomed by Michael Eavis: "We have proved to the villagers and to the council once and for all that we can do it.
"We had the best festival ever in 2003, and 2004 will be even better."