A campsite near Stonehenge has been granted an events licence for gatherings of up to 2,000 people - despite concerns from locals about late-night noise and drug-taking.
Stonehenge Campsite Ltd applied for a new premises licence at its site on Berwick Road, Winterbourne Stoke.
The site has been operating for nearly 20 years under Temporary Event Notices, but wished to hold a premises licence so as not be restricted to 499 attendees during the larger events.
The new licence means the applicant will be able to host events for up between 1,200 and 2,000 people at one- to three-day events for 30 days a year.
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But some neighbours opposed the application, and expressed considerable concern about the annual Solsticefest event that takes place around the summer solstice.
One neighbour said: "From experience, even when played in the barn, music - particularly the thumping of bass and percussion instruments - is often clearly audible and disturbing.
"We have heard it when sitting in the garden and, when indoors, we have often had to shut our windows. We have also had to put up with the noise of drumming round the fire-pit.
"What was once a tranquil countryside has been seriously spoiled."
Another neighbour said: "Whilst present on the site I witnessed areas of significant concern which started with the fog of cannabis smoke that permeates the whole area with numerous individuals clearly under the influence of controlled drugs and alcohol."
Another complained: "There is the consistent sound of repetitive and persistent drumming during the solstice festival late into the night despite a council decision to prohibit music on site."
And another complained: "We woke up to someone sleeping in our garden."
The application was opposed by Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council.
However, Wiltshire Council's Southern Area Licensing Sub Committee granted the licence - which allows for live and recorded music to be played inside and outside from Thursday to Sunday between 12pm and 10pm, and the sale of alcohol at the site shop between 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.
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The committee found no evidence that the application and proposed conditions would undermine the licensing objectives.
Outside the meeting, applicant William Grant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We have owned the site for some 22 years and run multiple smaller events for some 17 years.
"We are chuffed That we now can hold up to 15 large events a year on our nine acre Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping site."
He said next year's events would include the 19th Solsticefest, Wiltshire Bike Rally for between 500 and 800 bikers, and Europe’s largest Gravel Bike Event.
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