A POPULAR Winchester music festival has withdrawn plans to make it more permanent, at the eleventh hour.

Boomtown, which is held annually at Matterley Estate near Ovington, currently has temporary permission for a festival each year until 2024.

It has withdrawn its application, after the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) planning officers recommended it for refusal.

The decision to pull its proposal comes just days before a national park planning meeting this Thursday, December 8.

The application was looking to hold the festival once a year and increase the number of maximum attendees from 64,999 to 75,999. 

The applicant, Boomtown Festival Ltd, also wanted to retain wooden structures within the woodland and have minor alterations to existing access on A31, both associated with festival use.

Officers recommended it for refusal because they said the ecological evidence was insufficient.

The officer's report said: “It has not been demonstrated, in the absence of sufficient ecological evidence, gathered over a meaningful period covering a number of festivals, that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the ecological, landscape or biodiversity interests of the Park. It is not therefore considered that the proposals would conserve or enhance the natural beauty and wildlife of the National Park.

“It has not been demonstrated that the proposals are in the public interest or that there are exceptional circumstances, given that evidence concerning any potential adverse effect on the environment and landscape have not been forthcoming with appropriate evidence over a meaningful period.”

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Public objections included concerns over traffic, noise, light pollution, and impact on wildlife. There were a total of 83 letters of objection.

An objection from Tichborne Parish Council said: “SDNPA could not grant permanent permission in 2019 and required a number of years in order to properly assess the ecological impact of the event upon the site and locality. The proposed assessment period has yet to commence.”

A comment from Bramdean and Hinton Ampner Parish Council said: “Some residents express concern about traffic, light and noise pollution as well as negative impact in a National Park. However, the event is attended by other local people who enjoy the opportunity to attend a local music festival.”

Supporting letters were received from 110 respondents. Reasons included: supporting the creative arts, bringing young people to the national park and it being in a relatively small part of it.

Shula Rael, from Boomtown, said: "This decision does not affect our plans to deliver an incredible show in 2023 or our ability to hold future events on Matterley Farm.

"The hard work continues to make Chapter Two: The Twin Trail the best and most sustainable show yet ahead of submitting a new planning application next Autumn."

Boomtown will return to the Matterley Estate for Chapter Two: The Twin Trail on August 9 to 13, 2023.