Planning Application

The South Downs National Park Authority Planning Committee has resolved to grant Boomtown a five-year planning permission at Matterley Estate, running through to 2030.

What has been approved

The temporary permission, which is subject to planning conditions and legal agreements, allows one festival per calendar year at Matterley Estate under the same capacity and operating conditions as 2025. There are no changes to the site boundary, attendee numbers, or operating hours. 

What we are committed to delivering

Biodiversity and Ecology

• Deliver a detailed Biodiversity Net Gain, Landscape and Ecology Mitigation and Management Plan
• Create a 4.2 acre wildflower meadow within our festival site
• Enhance over a mile of hedgerow
• Improve 18.5 acres of woodland from poor to good condition
• Purchase 88.2 habitat units within the South Downs National Park
• Commission annual independent ecological surveys to monitor wildlife impact
• Maintain 26 bird and bat boxes on site
• Provide 42 skylark plots annually
• Enforce strict Wildlife Protection Zones throughout build, show, and break periods

Community and Local Investment

• Continue annual donations of up to £20,000 shared to our eight surrounding parish councils
• Maintain ongoing support for local schools and community organisations
• Donate £100,000 annually to Winchester Hospice, repeating the commitment made in 2025 for each year of the permission to 2030

You can reach us at local_community@boomtownfair.co.uk or speak to a member of our community liaison team at our local meetings. The next meeting will be on the 22nd of April at The Flower Pots, Cheriton. 

We understand that this decision will be welcome news for some and a source of concern for others. We are grateful to everyone who engaged with the planning process, whether in support or in objection. The scrutiny makes us better, and we take the responsibility that comes with this permission seriously.

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