Battle lines are being drawn up against plans to extend an annual opera festival until 2018.

Garsington Opera's temporary planning permission is to run out in December 2003. The organisation intends to ask South Oxfordshire District Council to grant planning approval for 15 years.

Leonard IngramsThe summer open-air festival at Garsington Manor has provoked opposition from villagers each time a planning application has been made.

Traffic, noise and general disturbance complaints have all been levelled at the festival - which stages three operas during its month-long operation.

Protesters confirmed they would continue to oppose any further extensions at the district council's northern area planning committee.

The existing planning permission was granted six years ago, after an appeal to the Department of the Environment.

Garsington Opera, the brainchild of merchant banker Leonard Ingrams, above, who lives at the manor, has won every appeal against district council attempts to curb the festival.

The new application asks for temporary permission for 15 years, and for a change of use of land and buildings to allow up to 35 public events each year.

These could include 20 opera performances, three dress rehearsals and up to 12 other events - including opening the gardens to the public, music recitals, and theatre performances.