Glastonbury licence hearing : the full report

Glastonbury Festival 2005 was granted a licence this evening, meaning that the Festival will go ahead this June.

On his way into the licence hearing, organiser Michael Eavis told us that "this will be the easiest yet" ... but in some ways, it wasn't all so clear-cut. There were two real issues, the noise to nearby residents, and the hours of that noise.

But firstly, crime. During the meeting, Avon and Somerset Police Chief Inspector Adrian Coombs was quizzed about how the crime levels at the Festival compared to an area with the same size of population over the same recording timespan. Interestingly, the Festival had 478 crimes reported in 2004, whilst the average for a similar population was 566 crimes.

As a result of the much improved crime levels since 2000, the police are looking at reducing their on-site numbers, but with their replacement by a greater number of security and stewards. The Festival has also appointed a former Chief Inspector as its own Crime Reduction Officer, to ensure the crime doesn't rise again.

The noise limits were breeched during 2004's Festival, and operational director & licencee Melvin Benn only just avoided prosecution. As a result, this year's application split various aspects into groups (principle stages, lesser stages, other areas and markets, lost vagueness, & cinema), and stated clearly the operating times when amplified music would be played.

As was revealed at the Public Meeting eleven days ago, these stated operating times are the same as they've been for at least the last few years: the only difference is that they're now explicitly stated in the licence application.

Whilst acknowledging the improvements over the last few years, seeing all this in black and white was all too much for some of the mainly aging Licencing Board at Mendip Distric Council. These grey and balding men in their out of shape cardies just cannot understand why some people might like to be at the cinema past midnight, and not tucked up in bed and asleep well before one.

They didn't seem to want to consider that the times, volumes and positionings of these sound sources was the same or improved over previous years (including 2002 & 2003, when there was no breeches of the noise limits outside the tent).

So they pushed and pushed, and eventually tabled an amendment, diverting the decision on these aspects to be considered by a sub-group (taking professional advice regards the noise levels/monitoring), as well as the proposed increase in numbers by 3,000 Sunday tickets for locals (with all the ticket money from these going to the tsunami appeal) made tonight by the Festival. The amendment was passed.

Then it came to the main vote, for the licence, this year for the 'bargain' price of £103,353, which is the costs to the council (interestingly, they'll pay less under new legislation). Even some traditionally hostile councillors, who'd voted against a licence being granted in the past, voted to grant the licence. Twelve voted for, none against; one member was absent, and so one must have abstained.

This change of heart by some could be a problem: have they supported the application, thinking they can then get the hours of entertainment at the Festival toned right down? Speaking to both Melvin Benn and Michael Eavis afterwards, they both told us they were confident of a good result; neither appeared too concerned.

Of course, we quizzed Michael on who might play, but for once he was keeping it zipped. He even suggested a bet when we suggested a name, saying they weren't playing - was he bluffing, or on the level?

Michael did confirm that the Festival plans to take a year off in 2006, and Time Out are reporting that tickets will be on sale on Sunday 3rd April at 9am, costing £125 (plus a small booking fee), limited to two per person.

We asked the man responsible for Festival ticketing when the ticketing details will be known: we were told in around two weeks. One of the ideas still under consideration is the buyer's photograph being printed on the ticket, to stop them being re-sold.

So anyway, the Festival has its licence, and Michael and Melvin aren't overly concerned about the detail still to be agreed. That's all good.

Now the only worry is getting that ticket. Fingers are firmly crossed!

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