Springsteen gig gets go-ahead

Organisers have sold 50,000 tickets

A Bruce Springsteen stadium concert will take place after a court dismissed protests from residents living near the venue in Manchester.

Those living near Lancashire County Cricket ground, where Springsteen will play on 29 May, said locals would be forced to listen "to a rock concert in bed".

But a court overturned a council decision to ban the show, saying promoters had promised to rectify past problems.

The cricket club said on Friday the cancellation of the concert could have put the future of its home under threat.

More than 50,000 tickets for the show have been sold.

Trafford Borough Council had refused to grant the event a licence after noise and crowd concerns from residents.

We won't go away - it's totally selfish and just about money

Lynne Jenkinson
Local resident

People living nearby said there had been parking, noise and anti-social behaviour problems at Oasis and Robbie Williams shows.

But Trafford Magistrates Court overruled the council on Thursday, saying it had to "strike a balance between the rights of the residents and Lancashire County Cricket Ground".

"We are extremely aware of the predicament of the local residents with regard to the disturbance caused by concerts of this type, sporting events and the growth of other activities in the locality," said Timothy Jenkinson, chairman of the board.

"However, we have given a great deal of consideration to the profile of this particular artist and the maturity of the support which he attracts."

But one local, Lynne Jenkinson, of Greatstone Road, said: "We won't go away. It's disgraceful. It's totally selfish and just about money."

The club says the concert has secured its future at Old Trafford

Promoters SJM Concerts and Rock Steady Security were behind the court challenge.

The court's decision could have a bearing on the council's decision on whether to let the Move rock festival go ahead at the venue in July.

The council refused to consider the licence application for the festival, which will feature REM and the Manic Street Preachers, until after the Springsteen ruling.

Jim Cumbes, chief executive of Lancashire County Cricket Club, said the decision was critical for securing the future of the 146-year-old ground.

He added: "Had the decision gone against us then that would have been the end of pop concerts at Old Trafford.

"If that was the case we've got to look at where our other income sources come from and where our costs are.

"Clearly one of them is an old stadium so it follows that you ask, does Lancashire County Cricket Club actually move from Old Trafford and build a new stadium from scratch, where maintenance costs are going to be lower?"