The Green Party is frustrated and disappointed at the cancellation of the Big Green Gathering for 2009.
The Big Green Gathering is Europe's largest green event, a five-day peaceful and educational environmental festival.
The Big Green Gathering's organisers had negotiated with the police and licensing authorities for over six months. Demands included watchtowers, steel fences, a secure compound, and up front payments to South West ambulances, fencing contractors, and the Fire Brigade.
Until its cancellation yesterday, the festival faced a High Court injunction hearing today, put by Avon/Somerset Police, supported by Mendip District Council, over a further requirement -- the festival organisers obtaining a road closure order from the Highways Agency.
Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party, said: "This is a hugely disappointing outcome for thousands of people. The demands being made on the organisers seem to be quite disproportionate, and yet again we see the alleged potential for "crime and disorder" apparently being used to effectively make it impossible for environmental groups to gather peacefully."
You can read more about the controversy in both schnews and The Guardian.