Cheshire Fest can go ahead next year at the Lambing Shed in Knutsford after the council refused residents' requests to revoke the licence.

But Cheshire East's Licensing Act sub-committee has modified the music festival's licence to reduce the impact on neighbours.

Among a number of changes is a reduction in the hours music can be played at the once-a-year event.

Previously, this was between 11am and 11pm Thursday to Sunday, under the new licence it is between 5pm and 10.30pm on Friday, from 11am to 10.30pm on Saturday and 11am to 8.30pm on Sunday.

The premises licence was reviewed following a number of complaints about noise nuisance at the four-day event over the June Bank Holiday this year.

Brian Chaplin, of the South Knutsford Residents Group, told the licensing committee music could be heard by residents up to 1km away and they couldn't stay outdoors because of the constant noise.

He added there had also been complaints that students studying for their GCSE and A-level exams couldn't concentrate because of the noise.

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"We hope the premises licence will be revoked or amended to exclude this type of activity and event on these fields," said Mr Chaplin.

"The reasons for us asking for that revocation was the loud music, the thumping bass and the breaking of the environmental health condition [that noise was not to be audible beyond the boundary of the nearest residential premises]."

He said the site was unsuitable for an event such as Cheshire Fest because it's within earshot of hundreds of homes up to 1km away and is not a rural site.

"We have no confidence in Cheshire Fest, or indeed any other organisation, to be able to hold an amplified music event and activities and funfair on this site under the circumstances of the proximity of the residential areas," said Mr Chaplin.

Josh Boyd, from Cheshire Fest, said he believed a maximum 65db noise limit had been part of a condition of the original licence and when he had checked the sound level, following complaints during the event, it had been below that.

"The term, in terms of it being audible at the nearest resident properties… that is something that we would like clarification on," he said.

Margaret Hopley, of the council's licensing department, said that condition had not been placed on the licence.

Mr Boyd later told the meeting: "I completely acknowledge and understand the points that have been raised.

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"What I would request is that we look for a route to securing the re-delivery of the event in terms that may be acceptable.

"I would propose the organising team for Cheshire Fest carry out a full noise impact assessment… that would be subject to review from the environmental health office team and other interested parties."

He added: "From a professional delivery, it's not our intention to cause undue concern or impact on local people and I do acknowledge the points that were raised today."

But local objector Stephen Devlin said Cheshire Fest seemed to have acknowledged there was a nuisance caused to residents and said 'but we'll do better next time'.

"We believe a licence should not be continued, it should be revoked. If Cheshire Fest wish to make a new application they should do that and then these matters could be addressed on the new application," he said.

The meeting took place on October 5 at Macclesfield Town Hall but the decision was only published on the council's website recently.

As well as the change to the hours there are a number of modifications to the licence including music noise levels at the intersection between Goughs Lane and the A637 Chelford Road shall not exceed 65db over any 15-minute period and, if noise levels are recorded over the set criteria the licence holder must comply with all directions to reduce or adjust levels to within the set criteria.