The South Downs National Park Authority has unanimously approved Boomtown Festival to continue at the Matterley Estate near Winchester until 2030, despite objections from residents and environmental campaigners. The event, held every August, maintains a capacity cap of 75,999 attendees, plus 1,000 on Sunday. Organizers committed to new environmental measures as part of the approval.
The festival, which draws crowds to the South Downs National Park each August, secured permission for five more years following a unanimous vote by the park authority. Local resident Alisson Mathews, living two miles from the site, described hearing the bass beat constantly during the event, leaving her family exhausted from lack of sleep. She criticized the authority for failing residents and urged finding an alternative venue outside the protected area.