THE future of a music festival branded a "violent drunken brawl" has been decided. 

Welliestock, a festival in its fourth year which is currently held at Wellesley Park Primary School, will be taking place on Saturday (July 1). 

Huw Weston, the event organiser, applied for a premise licence from Taunton Deane Borough Council. 

The Licensing Sub-Committee met today (June 29) to discuss the application. 

The panel approved Mr Weston's application under conditions such as no dismantling of the stage should take place between 11pm and 8am, and the sale of alcohol will stop at 10.15pm. 

Residents of nearby streets attended the meeting in opposition of the festival, claiming that the noise level was too high and that anti-social behaviour blighted the streets at kick-out time. 

Mr Weston admitted that the security team "let him down" last year, and assured them that changes had been made this year to make the event safe and enjoyable. 

Speaking on behalf of the concerned residents, Mark Steer said: "The first problem is that it feels like the noise levels increase every year. 

"I work nights and sleep with earplugs in a room with double-glazing and I can still hear it.

"There's too many people on the site. It is a primary school and not a suitable location." 

Mr Steer claimed that last year the children's maze, based at the school, was used as an open urinal during the event, which smelt afterwards. Mr Weston disputed that claim, saying that the maze was fenced off. 

Mr Weston says the number of security staff has been increased from 10 to 15, but Mr Steer said a more suitable amount would be at least double that. 

Another concern from the residents was the anti-social behaviour that was fuelled by alcohol at last year's events. 

Marion Jones, a 72-year-old resident, described last year's event as a "violent drunken brawl", after she was threatened and had her garden vandalised. 

Steve Hill, PSCO, said that last year only one incident was logged. 

Mr Weston said: "I'll admit that security let us down last year.

"This year we have made changes to ensure the event is safe and enjoyable.

"Everything we do is with the school, I don't make any decisions without the school.

"We've reduced the line-up by four acts, and professionals will be monitoring the sound at all times. 

"We've added a fence at the back to stop people getting in without a ticket.

"We've introduced a 'challenge 25' policy at the bars, and everyone attended will have a colour-coordinated wrist band.

"What happened last year won't happen this year. 

"But we can't guarantee that people won't have disagreements."

Mr Weston, who is a music teacher, said he set up the festival in 2014 because of the amount of talent in the area. 

He added: "There's an exceptional amount of talent in the area. 

"We're hoping that the proceeds from the programme sales can be put back into the schools."

"This is not a commercial event, it's a community event." 

This year is the last time the festival will be held at the primary school, Mr Weston says he is hoping to find somewhere else to host the festival in 2018. 

Mr Weston had applied for Temporary Event Notices in order to host the event this year if the licence was denied.  

Festival goers will be subject to bag checks on arrival and there will be no re-admission after 9pm.