High Court rules in favour of Brockwell Park festivals following local planning dispute

A High Court judge has dismissed a challenge brought against Lambeth Council over its decision to use parts of Brockwell Park for a series of festivals this summer.

Local campaigner Juliet Chambers sought to legally challenge the council, claiming that the planning permission it granted was “unlawful” (according to her representative, Richard Harwood KC).

Festivals due to go ahead at Brockwell Park this summer include Field Day, City Splash and Mighty Hoopla, which are all due to take place in late May.

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According to BBC News, Mr Justice Jay dismissed the bid and said that the park is being used for “recreation”, adding that “it is clear in my view that this musical festival is a cultural activity”.

In April, campaign group Protect Brockwell Park challenged Lambeth Council’s decision to grant planning permission for festivals. Temporary permission was granted to allow use of part of the park for events for up to 32 days.

The campaign group, made up of locals in the Brixton area, complained that such "large-scale" events cause environmental damage and block public access to the park for extended periods.

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They successfully won two judicial reviews as a result, with the council twice ruling to have "acted unlawfully in approving commercial events", forcing Brockwell Live, who run festivals at Lambeth park, to obtain full planning permission.

Protect Brockwell Park then launched its third judicial review against Lambeth Council’s decision to grant permission to those same events last month, claiming it was “improperly granted”.

BBC News reports that a representative for Lambeth Council told Mr Justice Jay this week that “during the events, the rest of the park will be retained as public open space, therefore leaving 74% of the park open to the public throughout this period.”

In a statement shared with Mixmag, a Brockwell Live spokesperson said: "These live music events are enjoyed by the vast majority of the public and are part of a rich history of live music in the park dating back to 1978, when it hosted the Rock Against Racism concert. Brockwell Live celebrates diversity, music and culture. Yesterday’s decision ensures that this will continue."

[Via BBC News]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X