November 18, 2008 11:35

Hop Farm festival bosses to appeal capacity application knockback

Festival chiefs' case will be heard in January

Hop Farm festival bosses are set to appeal the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's decision to deny their application to increase the event's capacity.

Organisers of the event, which had Neil Young, Primal Scream and Supergrass among its acts when it debuted last July, had hoped to increase the capacity to 53,000, but the plan was scuppered after locals complained and the council said not enough information about the proposal was submitted.

However, Hop Farm festival promoter Vince Power has said he will appeal the decision, and will put his case forward again on January 21 next year.

Power said he thought the complaints from locals were inappropriate. "We had some complaints from the local village, which seem to be unfounded," he said in a statement. "I have been organising events and festivals for 25 years. I have a good track record in this sector, as do the team I use. I am confident of obtaining the licence for increased capacity at the appeal in January."

The festival is set to take place next year on the weekend beginning July 4.