PLANS for a huge two-day international rock festival in Wirral were last night given the go-ahead by the council.

Wirral businessmen Gerard White and Andrew Carr had said if the Station Road, Thurstaston, event got the go-ahead, thousands could flock to see international bands in action.

Merseyside Police originally made representations to the council that loud music could “recklessly disturb” a pair of regularly breeding barn owls at the site – an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

But before the council’s licensing committee met to consider the application for the event, officers withdrew their representations over the owls and said they would not object if some of their criteria is met.

Last night, Cllr Sue Taylor, who had been forced to withdraw as chair of licensing committee after she commented about the event “obviously attracting some local opposition” – said she was shocked by the committee’s decision.

She said: “It’s purely because of the level of opposition that people are so surprised.”

A letter sent out last night by the council said the event will be open to members of the public from 8am on Friday, May 28, 2010, until 4pm on Sunday, May 30, 2010.

The letter said: “In determining the application, the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee gave consideration to representations from Environmental Health in respect of the prevention of public nuisance.

“Members also had regard to representations from interested parties, including Wirral Barn Owl Trust, Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston Caravan Owners Association, various other associations and societies including the Irby, Thurstaston and Pensby Amenity Society (ITPAS), Local Ward Councillors and individual residents relating to the potential for crime and disorder and public nuisance, as well as concerns relating to public safety and the protection of children from harm.”