CIVIC chiefs have ruled out formal action against a music festival for breaches of licensing conditions.

The Boomtown Festival at Matterley Bowl near Winchester in August generated several noise complaints and allegations that the premises licence had been breached.

Bosses at Winchester City Council have warned landowner Peveril Bruce and festival directors that further breaches could result in prosecution and a review of their licence.

Council officers investigated the complaints made about last summer’s reggae and ska event and said some minor technical conditions were broken but that these caused no problems or danger to the public.

Noise conditions were imposed on the licence and set a maximum level for music off site. These limits were breached, although the organisers lowered the volume when the breaches were reported.

One factor was the wind, which unusually changed direction, pushing the music noise towards Winchester.

Another allegation was that music carried on after midnight on the Sunday. The organisers claimed this was incidental music, which is not licensable. It resulted in just one complaint.

In a statement the council said it had to consider whether there was a realistic prospect of securing convictions and if it was in the public interest to prosecute.

Taking into account the evidence, the mitigating circumstances and the level of pen-alty which was likely to be imposed it was decided that prosecution was not appropriate.

John Myall, licensing manager, said: “The council takes the licensing of events very seriously to ensure that they are safe for attendees and do not impact too negatively on residents.

"We work with licence holders and events promoters to evaluate events and ensure conditions are being met, and we will take formal action where appropriate.”