Volume limit causes festival row

Organisers say new sound systems will reduce noise pollution

Organisers of a popular music festival in Berkshire have lodged an appeal against council restrictions on the level of noise it can make.

The Glade Festival, which is held in July on the Wasing Estate near Aldermaston, was granted a licence by West Berkshire Council last month.

But its backers are to appeal against conditions placed on the volume of the music played at the three-day event.

Magistrates will consider the appeal at a pre-trial hearing on 23 May.

We realise that we absolutely have to get it right Glade Festival organisers

The festival has previously drawn some complaints from locals over noise created throughout the night.

Its organisers said they had worked hard to correct problems that arose in previous years.

Hi-tech sound systems that reduce noise pollution will be used at the event to be held on the weekend of 20-22 July.

In a statement on the festival website, they said: "The issue of sound at the Glade Festival has been one of our biggest challenges.

"For the last two years, we've not got it right from both the perspective of our audience and also, and just as importantly, from that of those living locally.

"And, on the basis of 'three strikes and you're out', we realise that we absolutely have to get it right."

A council spokesman said it was "highly supportive of artistic and cultural events across a wide spectrum".

But he added that conditions limiting the volume of the music had to be added to the licence "given objections from local residents about potential noise nuisance".