Michael Eavis has been talking about his local council’s decision to refuse the Glastonbury Festival an entertainments licence for 2003. Local resident groups frequently object to the event. Ironically this year’s complaints were caused because Eavis responded too well to last time’s problems. After being told he must stop the fence hoppers who gain unofficial access to the festival, Eavis brought in promoters Mean Fiddler to look after security. The move was so successful thousands of potential fence hoppers were sent away – filling local villages with disgruntled festival-goers – much to the concern of said local villages.
In a statement the licensing committee for Mendip District Council told reporters: "There were three main issues that dissuaded the board from granting the licence. The board didn't accept that Glastonbury Festival Limited would deliver security for the village of Pilton and surrounding villages. Secondly, the environmental damage on the area and finally the unsuitability of the site as villagers said the festival had outgrown it. There were several vociferous villagers at the meeting who spoke very strongly against the festival."
Eavis responded: "We lost by one vote and the unfortunate thing was that the members weren't all there and it was a poorly attended meeting. We will go to magistrates court and appeal. The council, police and fire service have been very supportive. We are not too bothered and I think it's all going to be fine. I am fairly confident the festival will go ahead."