Brockwell Park festivals approved by council

Plans to hold a series of festivals in Brockwell Park have been approved, despite opposition from residents.

Lambeth Council's planning applications committee voted unanimously to grant temporary permission for the events, following more than an hour of debate on Tuesday evening.

Summer Events Ltd, which runs the Brockwell Live series, submitted its first full planning application last year.

Until now, the festivals had operated under permitted development rights, which allow certain temporary events without formal planning permission.

The company has been granted permission to use just over a quarter of the park for up to 32 days between 9 May and 9 June 2026, including set-up, show days and "wet weather buffer days".

Five ticketed music and cultural festivals are planned: Field Day, Cross the Tracks, City Splash, Mighty Hoopla and Brockwell Bounce. Organisers said the Wide Awake festival was "taking a break for 2026".

Legal action was brought last year by campaigners, who argued the council did not have the correct planning approval for the festivals and that, on some occasions, events exceeded the 28 days allowed under permitted development rules.

The council did not appeal after the judge ruled in favour, instead saying it was adopting a "new strategy" going forward for Brockwell Live.

Michael Taylor, chair of the Friends of Brockwell Park, told the meeting: "It is irrational to conclude that there is only limited temporary harm in the delicate heritage balance."

He said heavy lorries had driven over unprotected tree roots during previous events.

Jonathan Hanreck, representing Protect Brockwell Park, said: "This decision rests on assumptions rather than evidence, particularly about harm."

Anne Kingsbury, chair of Brockwell Park Community Partners, said: "Effectively, during the festivals, half of the park, the eastern side, is unusable."

She added: "The Greensward has not recovered. It's in a horrible state."

Ward councillor Paul Valentine said he had received 55 emails objecting to the plans and none in support.

He told the meeting: "The local community don't feel like they've been heard."

Supporters argued the events brought cultural and economic benefits to the borough.

Joe Elkins, event director at Brockwell Live, said: "The events are a reflection of the diversity, creativity and spirit that makes Lambeth and London extraordinary."

He added that the committee report highlighted a projected £10m contribution to the local economy.

Environmental consultant Mike Harris said ecological assessments demonstrated that impacts were "temporary, localised, and appropriately mitigated".

Councillor Adrian Garden said views were "mixed and often nuanced" and called for greater transparency around community benefits.

Planning officers recommended the festivals should be approved, concluding the events were time-limited and reversible and that the cultural, social and economic benefits outweighed what they assessed to be temporary impacts.

Councillors agreed and voted unanimously to grant permission.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk