Joe GallopGlastonbury Festival‘s long-term future at Worthy Farm has been secured after permanent planning permission for the event was granted by the local council.
Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd. (GFEL) has had rolling temporary planning permission to hold the festival and other events at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, since 2010, but it was due to expire in 2024.
Mendip District Council told GFEL last year that a further extension to the temporary permission may not be granted as it was “contrary to best planning practice” as laid out by central government but in the council’s latest meeting on Wednesday evening (29 March) its planning board voted to approve the plans for permanent permission. The board approved the application by a margin of 11 votes to none, with one abstention.
The plans allow for the hosting of the festival on a permanent basis once a year; the hosting of the annual Pilton Party; camping events which can take place during festival fallow years; and agricultural use of the site outside of the festival period.
It also allows for the “permanent regularisation” of the Pyramid Stage and the allocation of land to accommodate the temporary festival workforce.
The festival will still have to comply with the terms of its official licence, which sets limits on noise levels, crowd capacity and other matters.
This year’s Glastonbury takes place from 21-25 June, with a lineup that includes Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Lana Del Rey and Lizzo.