Lambeth Council has succumbed and agreed to reduce noise levels at South West Four Festival in an out-of-court settlement with Wandsworth Council.

The news comes just ahead of Wandsworth’s legal challenge being heard at Camberwell Green magistrates’ court.

The legal spat was in response to a rise in noise levels at the event last year which apparently led to a "six-fold increase" in complaints from people in the area around Clapham Common where it takes place, although the exact figures were not confirmed by the council.

The festival takes place every year in August and festival-goers often complain the noise levels are too low.

Before the agreement, Councillor Jonathan Cook said Wandsworth and local residents felt ignored.

He said: "Lambeth failed to agree any kind of compromise even though it would have directly benefited their own residents living around Clapham Common."

However, Director of Lock N Load Events Andrew Mattle said: "The fact is that only one resident and Wandsworth Council objected to our license application.

"The resident did not turn up to Committee where the license was granted as sought. Wandsworth then appealed that decision."

However, on Wandsworth Council's website it says: "More than 90 local residents announced their backing for Wandsworth’s court battle and 12 agreed to give witness statements with most volunteering to appear in front of magistrates if required."

Mr Mattle acknowledged there was a rise in complaints but it was a weather related issue.

He said: "This was largely on the Saturday when a rare Easterly wind blew the sound towards Clapham West resulting in a dozen people phoning us.

"The facts of the matter are that these residents heard something when they normally hear nothing.

"The levels recorded at our Clapham West monitoring position clearly showed that we were well within the licensing sound levels."

Speaking about the agreement environment spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: "This is a sensible compromise agreement that will give residents living near Clapham Common some respite over the August bank holiday weekend.

"After Lambeth gave permission to the event organisers to turn up the music at last summer’s festival we were inundated with complaints from local residents who were being subjected to unreasonable noise levels."

When Wandsworth Council announced it would be taking Lambeth to court, the response was mostly against the action.

Only six people out of 39 local residents who commented on the council’s website agreed with Wandsworth’s decision to take legal action.

The complaints included noise levels, disruption and intrusion.

Angela McMahon said: "WBC is quite right to go ahead with this."

But she added: "This statement could have been made by the 579 individual and institutional objectors to FE in Battersea Park.

"But good luck to the council. They are doing the right thing."

The majority of people were annoyed with the decision, stating the noise level in no way upset them and they thought the event was an asset to the area and great for local businesses.

Emma said: "I hope Cllr Cook is looking at the sentiment of all residents and not a select few.

"What is the actual number of the complaints in 2016 versus 2015 that support the six-fold increase?"

Many said it was a waste of money.

Jon said: "As a long term resident in the Lambeth side I have never had a problem with the noise levels from this event.

"We have attended for the last 10 years on and off and believe that this event is well managed and organised. Why would you waste council tax payers money on challenging this - spend it on more police officers."

Gerard said: "I have been a local resident for over ten years and have never had an issue with the noise or the festival itself.

"I have attended a number of times but didn't last year - the change in noise levels had no effect whatsoever on me."

Along with reducing noise levels, the third day of the festival will end at 10pm instead of 11pm.