Glastonbury festival refused entertainment licence

The Glastonbury Festival has been refused a public entertainment licence.

Britain's Mendip District Council's regulatory board voted 5-4 vote against the licence for up to 150,000 people.

Although the application was not opposed by police, concerns were raised over problems this year in villages near the site of the music event in Pilton, Somerset.

A council spokesman said: "There were three main issues that dissuaded the board from granting the licence.

"The board didn't accept that Glastonbury Festival Limited would deliver security for the village of Pilton and surrounding villages.

"Secondly, the environmental damage on the area and finally the unsuitability of the site as villagers said the festival had outgrown it. There were several vociferous villagers at the meeting who spoke very strongly against the festival."

Organiser Michael Eavis said: "We lost by one vote and the unfortunate thing was that the members weren't all there and it was a poorly attended meeting.

"We will go to magistrates court and appeal. The council, police and fire service have been very supportive. We are not too bothered and I think it's all going to be fine. I am fairly confident the festival will go ahead."

At a previous meeting of the board to discuss this year's event, members were told that a total of 1,089 crimes were attributed to the festival and 228 arrests made.

At that meeting, Pilton residents said that more police and security measures were needed to address their concerns should another festival be held.