An attempt by BoomTown Fair to increase its capacity from 50,000 to 60,000 has been blocked by Winchester City Council amid fears of increased traffic disruption and crime.

This comes after Boomtown Festivals Ltd successfully applied for a capacity increase from 30,000 to 50,000 in 2014.

The festival applied to increase its capacity under a minor variation application but the council disputed that a 10,000 increase could be considered minor.

Peveril Bruce, owner of the Matterley Estate where the festival is held, said: “I’m confident that the Matterley Estate can cope with significantly greater capacity but the capacity levels are decided by Winchester City Council and their licensing committee.”

“I’m in constant discussion with Winchester City Council and the authorities and that’s just the nature of the beast isn’t it, the way it is. In my view the estate is well able to cope with that capacity.”

A second application, for a 5,000 increase in capacity, has been submitted by the festival with a decision due at the end of April.