Brockwell festivals set to go ahead despite doubts

Plans to hold a series of festivals in Brockwell Park look set to be approved, despite the application receiving more than three times as many objections as expressions of support.

Lambeth Council's planning applications committee has been advised to approve the proposals for this summer, even though previous events have been controversial after complaints of residents being unable to fully access the park and noise issues.

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

Until now, the festival had taken place under permitted development rights, which allow certain temporary events without formal planning permission.

The company is seeking temporary planning permission to use just over a quarter of the park for up to 32 days. The proposed window runs from 9 May to 9 June 2026 and includes time for set‑up, show days, de‑rig 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. The organisers say the Wide Awake festival is "taking a break for 2026".

Legal action was brought by campaigners last year 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.

Residents were invited to comment on the plans - 395 objections were received, along with 127 supportive responses and seven neutral comments.

The Brixton Society criticised the proposals for consisting "solely of paid commercial music events" with no free or family focused activities, adding that ticket prices were unaffordable for many local residents.

Friends of Brockwell Park said the events occupied about 45% of accessible parkland and 60% of open grass during peak summer months, leaving little space for the public outside the festival footprint.

The group said previous festivals caused "significant and lasting damage to the ground", including waterlogging and rutting, which reduced public enjoyment of the park".

However, planning officers said the events used only 26% of the park and that the claims "do not correspond with the submitted plans".

Supporters of the plans highlighted the wellbeing benefits for younger residents and those who valued shared cultural experiences.

Others argued Brockwell Park had a long history of hosting major events and was well suited to festivals because it is large and well connected.

Planning officers have recommended that councillors grant conditional planning permission, saying the cultural, social and economic benefits of the festival series carry significant weight and outweigh any potential heritage harm.

Lambeth councillors are expected to confirm whether the plans will go ahead at a meeting on 24 February.

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