CONTROVERSIAL plans to switch Gosport’s Stokes Bay Festival to a new site have been given the go-ahead.

It will be staged at Bay House School’s playing field, off Military Road, despite a storm of protest from local residents.

The Proclaimers will be among the headliners for the festival which is from July 29 to August 2 and could attract up to 15,000 people.

Gosport Council’s licensing sub-board gave the green light after a stormy meeting. There were 42 letters of objection and a 159-signature petition against the plans.

Hampshire police say they will be appealing to overturn the decision because they have serious concerns about the site from a policing point of view.

A festival spokesman said they would work to address any concerns that residents might have.