A recent high court decision in London cast uncertainty over the future of several major music festivalsincluding Field Day, Mighty Hoopla and Wide Awake and more, scheduled to take place in Brockwell Park this upcoming bank holiday weekend.
Brockwell Livethe events company behind these events have now confirmed that all the events scheduled for the weekend will go ahead despite the court ruling. The statement read:
“Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned. 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. We take our stewardship of Brockwell Park seriously. As we prepare to deliver these much-loved, culturally significant events, we remain fully committed to its care, upkeep, and long-term wellbeing. With setup nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival goers later this week.”
The court ruling followed a legal challenge brought by a local residents’ group, Protect Brockwell Parkagainst Lambeth Council’s approval of these events. Protect Brockwell Park raised over £40,000 last month to fund a judicial review, arguing that the council’s approval for large-scale festivals in the park was “unlawful.”
Their primary concerns centred on the cumulative impact of festival activities, including setup and breakdown times, which they claimed kept the park closed to the public for extended periods each year. The group demanded a full planning process for such events, including comprehensive public consultations, evidence-based impact assessments, and a thorough evaluation of the long-term effects on the park.
Justice Timothy Mould presided over the case and ruled that the current arrangements exceeded the legal limit for temporary use. Brockwell Livethe events firm behind Mighty Hoopla, Field Dayand other festivals, holds a certificate of lawful development.
This certificate allows for temporary changes of use-such as hosting festivals-without formal planning permission, but only for up to 28 days per year. However, the judge found it “self-evident” that the combined time required for festival setup and breakdown exceeded this 28-day limit. As a result, he determined that Brockwell Live’s certificate “can only be refused.”
This ruling had significant implications not only for Brockwell Park but also for other public parks across London that regularly host festivals. Organisers of upcoming events, some of which are already in the process of construction, now face the urgent need to seek expedited planning permission. Without it, they risk having to cancel their events altogether.
Lucy Akrill, cofounder of Protect Brockwell Parkcommented on the timing of the verdict, stating that it was not intentional but was a consequence of delays by the council. “They’ve forced us into this position,” she said, emphasising the residents’ desire for greater accountability and transparency in the approval process.
This is a breaking news story, we will report on developments as the situation unfolds.
