A FARMER has won a battle to host concerts on his land until 6am – despite fuming residents fearing it will be the next Glastonbury.
Huw Evans, 25, has been hosting events on the farm in Monmouthshire, Wales, with a permit and alcohol license between Thursdays and Fridays.
Some locals in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, objected against the plans[/caption]
But he has now applied for permission to host events throughout the week after working on the farm for the past eight years.
Neighbours Gary and Jess Yeomans told a licensing meeting the scale and frequency of the plans would “significantly impact our home life”.
The couple said noise from musical events already held at the farm on weekends was “just about bearable but irritating.”
Meanwhile, Peter and Verity Rumsey also objected to the application after saying they had been “regularly disturbed” by music from the farm.
Fears were also raised about the noise ruining the “tranquillity” of the area where numerous holiday lets and Airbnb properties are situated.
Mr Evans also requested permission to allow revellers until 6am on Fridays and Saturdays and 4am on Sundays.
He wrote in his application that the “vast majority” of those living near Llanvetherine Court in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, were supportive of his ambitions.
He said: “After an initial fear of living next door to the next Glastonbury, and uncertainty of a 25-year-old new entrant to farming, the vast majority of the local community have become supportive of what it is we do.”
His dad and co-applicant Edward added they had improved the barns used for most of the music events which can accommodate more than 250 people.
He said: “We’ve spent quite a lot on soundproofing those barns.
“They were in a terrible state when we took over and we put a lot of soundproofing in.
“They are much better soundproofed than the average barn on the average farm.”
Mr Evans also added that methods such as a “straw bale castle” and a second sound system to reduce noise have been employed.
The farmer told the council’s licensing committee he had been staging events under temporary licences and wanted to simplify the process.
He said the permanent licence would not mean more events but would make it easier to manage them.
Now, the farmer’s future ambitions include organising weddings and concerts alongside farm tours and wine-tasting experiences.
Licensing officer Linda O’Gorman confirmed there had been no objections to the 37 temporary licences granted for the premises since 2018.
She also said there had only been two complaints to the council since 2022 and both had been addressed by the applicants.
The three-member panel unanimously approved the application at the Monmouthshire County Council licensing meeting.
However, they advised the applicants to provide guidance about potential difficulties when entering and leaving the site at the junction with the road.
A farmer has won a battle to host concerts on his land until 6am[/caption]
