GLASTONBURY Festival organisers have been granted a new 10-year licence for the event.

The award, from Medip District Council (MDC), was made without a public hearing and grants permission for the Somerset event until 2024.

Glastonbury is among the world's biggest festivals and had previously faced strong opposition to licence applications, before the so-called 'super fence' was installed to stop non-ticket holders gainaing access to the site, at Worthy Farm, in Pilton.

The new licence could see staff numbers rising on the site, although the capacity for festival goers is set to remain unchanged, with 135,000 tickets being sold each year.

In the past, Glastonbury Festival's licences have been subject to scrutiny in a public hearing because of objections from the public or concerns from those with an interest in the safety of the event such as the police, fire or ambulance services.

However, the new application, submitted by festival director Robert Richards, received only a few representations of which all concerns were satisfied by the deadline.

Cllr Nigel Taylor, portfolio holder for regulatory services which includes licensing at MDC, said: "The partnership work between Mendip District Council, festival organisers and other authorities, and the dedication to continually improve this event every year, means that this new application has received no representations.

"This is all down to the effective working relationships we have, and the drive to make this one of the best-run festivals in the world - and this has been rewarded in the past on a national level."

Jeannette Marsh, chairman of the licencing board, said scrutiny of the festival would continue, despite the long-term licence.

"We aren't complacent - just because Glastonbury Festival now has a licence until 2024, this doesn't mean it escapes the close scrutiny that any event this size will have," she said.

"We will continue to work with the organisers to ensure this remains one of the safest events anywhere, and if we have any doubts about this we will take action.

"We recognise how important it is to get this world famous event right, and the huge impact that it has on the local area and community, both positive and negative.

"It is our job as the local district council to ensure we use the opportunities it brings and mitigate the effects it has on local people - and we are confident that the new licence takes these issues on board and addresses any concerns."

Robert Richards, who applied for the licence on behalf of Glastonbury Festivals, said; "I would like to thank all the Mendip council officers who have worked together with the Glastonbury team to finalise the new license. 

"It's an example of the same team spirit that makes the festival the success it is."

This year's Glastonbury Festival will run across the weekend of June 27, 28 and 29, although the site is open from Wednesday, June 25.