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Over 70% of local residents continue to support holding the Isle of Wight Festival at its current Seaclose Park site, according to a survey by Newport Parish Council.
The authority said it had again asked households in the vicinity of the event for their opinions, although the survey area was this year extended to take in more properties closer to the town centre.
According to the Parish Council, 502 returned their surveys out of the 1500 distributed across Newport North and part of Newport Central wards.
Despite the large percentage in favour of keeping the event at Seaclose, 60% of those surveyed thought traffic congestion and parking on the first wo days were avoidable. And over 80% believe the planning for adverse weather conditions by promoters, the IW Council, police and ferry operators was inadequate or worse.
The questionnaire was distributed ahead of news that GKN Aerospace in East Cowes had sought a review of the IW Festival's licence. The Parish Council survey, however, also asked the question and found that over 55% of local people thought the license should be reviewed.
Cllr. Shirley Smart, Chairman of the Parish Planning & Licensing Committee said that she welcomed the continued local support for the event: "I welcome this, as the Parish Council have consistently supported the festival but it is important to note that, after what happened this year, the number of households that are uncomfortable with the possibility of a progressive increase to 90,000 people at the event has increased to over 70% of those who responded."
The Isle of Wight Council's Licensing sub-committee is scheduled to hold a two-day review of the IW Festival licence on 19 and 20 November.
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