The Glastonbury Tor Fair could return to Northload Bridge next year.

The Tor Fair – also known as the Glastonbury Royal Charter Fair – is the second longest-running fair in Britain and has been in existence for more than 800 years.

This year's event is being held at St John's car park in the town until Saturday (September 19), with a series of measures in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

But following a decision by Mendip District Council, the event could return to its former home (also known as Herbies Field) in 2021.

Francesca Stokes, who runs the Tor Fair with her father Henry Chipperfield, told a virtual meeting of the council's cabinet on September 7 that it had been "a challenging year".

However, she said her family had managed to stage a similar fair in August at the French Weir park in Taunton, with additional safety features and crowd control to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

These included a one-way system throughout the site, people being counted in and out to limit numbers, social distancing and hand sanitising on all rides, and a sign-in book to enable track and trace if required.

Ms Stokes said: "It worked outstandingly well, and the public were overwhelmed at the procedures we put in place."

Details of the safety measures in place for this year's Tor Fair have been posted on its official Facebook page – including updated guidance after the government's "rule of six" came into force on Monday (September 14).

Those entering the Tor Fair site must scan a QR code with their phone to enable test and trace, with a similar one-way system to the French Weir event being in place at all times.

Other precautions in place include:

Mandatory wearing of face masks and gloves at all times (which can be purchased at the entrance if needed)

Asking visitors to have the correct change for rides and refreshments

Maintaining social distancing at all times – including in designated eating and drinking areas where masks may be removed

All rides being disinfected after each use

All individuals must ride alone, unless being accompanied by a family member

No ball games or bikes being allowed on site

Ms Stokes said: "This fair can safely run with more then what the government guidelines state, with all the appropriate measures in place."

The fair was held at Northload Bridge (also known as Herbies Field) for 17 years, but relocated to a field off of the Glastonbury bypass after heavy rain caused equipment to sink into the ground. It then moved to St John's car park a couple of years ago when the bypass field was developed for housing.

The district council ruled in February that the site, which lies on the B3151 Meare Road, could be used for car parking and the holding of the fair, along with other events for up to 28 days in a given year.

Glastonbury Town Council subsequently applied to create new access tracks into the site, making it easier for vehicles and fair equipment to enter and exit the area.

The new stone track-ways will allow up to 150 cars to be parked on the site during the fair – something which the district council's planning board voted to unanimously support when it met virtually on Wednesday evening (September 16).

Planning officer Charlotte Rogers said in her written report: "The installation of the tracks would make the use of the land less weather-dependent, and would reduce the chance of the land being churned up by vehicles and mud being brought onto the highway.

"The proposal will benefit the local economy, as the parking provisions will improve the ability of the site to contribute to the wide range of cultural and tourist events to be held in the town.

"These events attract a large number of visitors to the town and make a valuable contribution to the local economy.

"Furthermore, as the Tor Fair and other local events are important to the 'social and cultural fabric' of Glastonbury, it is helpful to have adequate parking to ensure that visitors can park in a safe and controlled manner."

According to the Environment Agency, the site lies within 'flood zone 3' – meaning it is among the areas most at risk of flooding within the UK, in part due to its close proximity to the Mill Stream.

To mitigate this, the new track-ways will be made from "permeable materials", allowing surface water to soak or drain away faster and prevent vehicles from becoming bogged down in mud.

The board voted to approve the plans with minimal debate – making it more likely the fair will be able to return to Northload Bridge in 2021.