'Camping will not be allowed' as mini two day Glasto event application is considered
After seven hours of discussions Mendip Councillors have tonight retired to consider whether to allow the event in September.
The event, which the application states is 'on a weekend to be agreed' but the meeting heard suggestions of September 17 and 18, would feature the Pyramid Stage and have a 50,000 capacity including staff - but not include camping.
It is unclear when a decision will be made, but councillors are due to meet tomorrow to discuss the application further.
During the meeting councillors were told regular 'sound level monitoring' will take place in Pilton and surrounding areas and officials will be 'in full control of the sound system' in case of the breaking of pre-agreed sound levels - which are not expected.
The meeting heard there had been complaints about noise levels in the past with the festival - but they had 'always manged to deal with them' and resolve concerns.
In March Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd submitted an application to Mendip District Council for permission to hold the two-day event - selling alcohol between 2pm and 11pm - which received three formal objections.
Concerns were raised that more people will be leaving the site en mass, as camping is not allowed, and the proposed event will have a 'culmulative effect' on the local area as it varies from the traditional festival arrangements.
The world famous full Glastonbury Festival was postponed for a second consecutive year in 2021 because of the pandemic.
Festival bosses also confirmed they intended to return to 'normal procedure' - the regular festival with fallow years - once Covid restrictions allow.
They called the proposed event 'entirely Covid inspired' and did not expect to stage something similar in future festival fallow years.
It's expected day tickets will be sold, rather than a weekend ticket, and it's possible the same bands could perform each night.
The festival did confirm a line-up has not been booked, and work would begin once the licence is issued on ticketing and performers.
There is currently no plans for a park and ride system for the two-day event.
During the meeting questions were asked about whether local accommodation providers will benefit from the influx of people - and it was suggested that they would be.
The meeting heard changes have been made 'since the 80s and 90s and the festival now is very different to what it was' and organisers pledged they will 'build the event once permission is granted'.
They even suggested they might ensure the likely international acts performing did not appeal directly to the same audiences - to reduce the numbers of people tempted to stay in the local area, following concerns that there might not be enough local accommodation providers.
In 2019 the number of noise complaints about the festival was higher than the previous two events - but the number of complaints for noise relating to stages before 11pm were four - and most of the other complaints were for 'general' overnight noise which did not relate to live music.
Some councillors called the application 'rushed through' and added concerns that last minute documents made it harder to judge the plans. The festival called the application very 'comprehensive' and highlighted the lack of objections from blue light services.
They also pointed out only three people had objected - and that they'd offered to meet with them.
Festival bosses pointed out some planning could be confirmed once plans had been agreed and said they welcomed the 'constructive' comments which would be taken onboard.
There was also calls for a local public meeting about the plans and for the licence to only be granted for a year.
To read the full application click here