Glastonbury Festival Bid to Secure Its Future

The organisers of the Glastonbury Festival have submitted a new license bid to Mendip District Council with a view to securing the festival's future until 2016. The current license is set to expire this year which also marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary annual event.

Among its proposals, the application has requested permission from the council for the car park to be be opened on Tuesday rather than Wednesday morning. This may help ease the congestion that marked the start of the festival in 2009 when tail backs lasting several hours blocked both sides of the main road leading to festival entrance.

The organisers have further requested more space for camping though it is understood that this won't mean an increase in crowd capacity.

The consultation deadline is Jan. 20 and a decision on the application is expected to be given in February.

In related Glastonbury news, it is believed that the festival will take a year off in 2012. Speculation is also rife that grunge veterans Pearl Jam may also be making an appearance; they are scheduled to headline Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park on Jun. 25 which is the same weekend as Glastonbury. Among the more unusual names being touted in the annual Glastonbury rumour mill are that of Dolly Parton,Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

The 2010 Glastonbury Festival takes place from Jun. 23 - 27. U2 are the only headliners to have been confirmed thus far, although organiser Emily Eavis has said a second, un-named headliner has already been chosen.