Festivals to go ahead in Brockwell Park this summer

Festivals at a south London park will still go ahead this summer despite last week’s successful High Court challenge against Lambeth Council.

Brockwell Park in Lambeth hosts a series of events called Brockwell Live, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to six festivals, including Mighty Hoopla.

Rebekah Shaman, a local resident a member of the Protect Brockwell Park group, brought legal action against the council over the use of parts of the park for the festivals, which this year are due to begin on 23 May.

Ms Shaman’s argument centred around planning laws prohibiting a change of use of parks for more than 28 days each year without additional planning consent.

Presiding over the case, Mr Justice Mould found that parts of the park would be used for these events for as many as 37 days.

The judge said his ruling was only about the lawfulness of the council’s decision to grant permission for the additional days.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said on Monday that the parent company, Summer Events Ltd, had applied for a new certificate of lawfulness, for 24 days, following the High Court ruling.

“The council is urgently considering that application. That consideration does not stop the events proceeding,” a statement read.

Jen Hawkins, a campaigner from Protect Brockwell Park, said: “We’re taking legal advice as to next steps.

“It seems to us Brockwell Live are carrying on regardless, and Lambeth are allowing them to do that. This is exactly what Lambeth have been repeatedly criticised for, by us and others.

“This whole thing started because Lambeth refused to go through a planning process, do proper assessments and allow proper scrutiny, and instead issued legal certificates last minute to try to shut us out.”

A spokesperson for Brockwell Live said: “Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show.

“Friday’s High Court ruling dealt with a particular point of law and whether an administrative process had been carried out correctly.

“We wish to make it clear that no event will be cancelled as a result of the High Court’s decision.”

They added that the set-up for Friday’s Wide Awake festival was nearly complete.