The world-famous Pyramid Stage from the Glastonbury Festival could become a permanent fixture in the Somerset countryside if new plans are approved.

Since 2010, Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd. (GFEL) has had planning permission to hold the festival and other events at Worthy Farm on the basis of a rolling temporary planning permission – which is due to expire in 2024.

Mendip District Council advised GFEL back in 2021 that a further extension to this temporary permission would not be allowed, since it was “contrary to best planning practice” as laid out by central government.

GFEL has therefore applied for the festival and associated events to have permanent planning permission, which would “provide more certainty and additional flexibility” in the years to come.

The application, if approved, would allow the following activities to take place on the festival site in perpetuity:

The permission would also allow the “permanent regularisation” of the Pyramid Stage, along with a building currently used for storage and recycling, and the allocation of land to accommodate the temporary festival workforce.

It should be noted that the festival is also subject to its official licence – so even if planning permission were granted, it would still need to comply with the agreed capacity, noise limits and so forth in order to continue.

A spokesman for Planning Sphere (representing GFEL) said: “The grant of planning permission will provide certainty and secure the future of the largest and most iconic music and performing arts festival in Europe.

“Taking into account the planning history and wider planning balance considerations, including the significant cultural and economic benefits as set out and the proposed biodiversity enhancement package, there is an overwhelming planning case that weighs in favour of the application proposal.”