Garsington Opera has won permission to hold its annual open air festival for the next 15 years.

South Oxfordshire District Council's northern area planning committee gave the go-ahead.

Members followed a recent planning inquiry ruling that said the festival's cultural, economic and social importance outweighed the noise and inconvenience to a few neighbours. But residents who have campaigned against the event could ask the Local Government Ombudsman to review the decision.

At the meeting, Cllr Martin Wright said: "We should be proud of Garsington Opera and not try to impede it or nibble away at it."

Objections were raised by Garsington councillor Ann Tomline who said 15 years was too long. She said: "We know it is a wonderful event but we must protect local people and get everything right."

She called for a decision to be deferred, but the move failed.

The festival is held in the grounds of the Grade II listed Jacobean Garsington Manor, the home of merchant banker Leonard Ingrams, in June and July.

After the meeting, Garsington Opera spokesman Claire Adams said: "This is very good news indeed.

"It means we can plan well in advance to get the best singers and conductors."

The council renewed 18 conditions on the organisers, including the number of performances, access to the site and finishing times.

Monica Waud, who has led campaigns against every move the organisers have made for nearly a decade, spoke at the meeting.

However, she refused to comment afterwards.