Campaigners have launched a legal challenge against music festivals in Brockwell Park

To many Londoners, festival season is one of the best parts of the year, and one of the greatest things about living in the capital. For a few months of the year we get to experience world-class music, culture and have a right jolly in many of our wonderful local parks. 

But to some Londoners day festivals are a noisy nuisance, damaging parks with large crowds and lots of litter. Now some unhappy locals in south London have launched a legal campaign against Lambeth Council, urging them to review holding large-scale festival events in Brockwell Park. 

Every summer Brockwell Live stages a number of day parties in the park, including Wide Awake, City Splash and new for 2025 Field Day (which has moved from its former home in Victoria Park). It also hosts free events including Lambeth Country Show and kid-friendly Brockwell Bounce. 

But campaign group Protect Brockwell Park (PBP), including actor Mark Rylance, said that the festivals are ‘destroying’ the park and having an ‘adverse ecological impact’. Rylance complained that large metal walls that are erected around the park for the events are ruining the vibe of the outdoor space, transforming it into a ‘prison camp’. 

The campaign has raised more than £30,000 via Crowdjustice to fund legal proceedings against Lambeth Council. In a case that could change the face of London day festivals, PBP wants the council to have to acquire full planning permission to run events in the park.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: ‘Brockwell Park is hugely valued by the council and our communities. The council invests £500,000 a year in maintaining Brockwell Park which has won numerous awards including a Green Flag given by Keep Britain Tidy in line with the international standard for high quality parks and green spaces, as well as several London in Bloom awards. 

‘Events in Brockwell Park run for a short period before summer and generate significant cultural opportunities and entertainment for younger people across the borough. Events also support businesses in the area, the majority of which are small businesses who experience increases in footfall during the events programme.

‘This boosts our local economy and provides jobs and income for residents, especially at a time when high streets and small traders have struggled, and when pubs are closing in record numbers.

‘The area of the park used for events has been independently assessed as being of low ecological sensitivity grassland, and there is no ecological damage caused as a result. Income from events is helping us put money into diversity projects in other areas of the park, with at least £20,000 invested in this way last year.’

The council added that commercial events help fund the free-to-attend Lambeth Country Show, saving the cash-strapped authority £700,000 in 2024, while festivals like Mighty Hoopla and City Splash are valued by local LGBTQ+ and Black communities. 

‘Any impacts from the events on the park are fixed with our event partner. We are committed to addressing all potential issues promptly and effectively, whilst ensuring Lambeth’s residents continue to have access to a diverse and meaningful range of events,’ the spokesperson said. 

A spokesperson for Brockwell Live said: ‘Brockwell Live delivers a series of free and ticketed events in Brockwell Park with more than half of attendees coming from across Greater London.

‘Celebrating the city’s diverse music and culture, events include the capital’s largest Caribbean and African music festival, a nationally significant queer pop festival and a critically acclaimed celebration of jazz, funk and soul.

‘Although 2024 saw weather-related challenges, expert assessments confirm that grass and soil impacts are reversible and remedial work is ongoing.

‘We understand the importance of Brockwell Park to local residents and take our stewardship seriously. We welcome scrutiny and maintain open channels for dialogue with residents, councillors, and community groups at all times.’

West London now has a huge new 2,800-capacity venue from the creators of Printworks. 

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