Brockwell Live says events will go ahead

Brockwell Live this morning (19 May) said that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show.

However, Susan Ring, a partner at solicitors Goodenough Ring, who represented Protect Brockwell Park when the organisation won a ruling against Lambeth council, told London Centric there was no way Lambeth council should be able to legally approve the lastminute application: “We do not consider that they have any permitted development rights for the temporary period,” she said. “We cannot see how their position is consistent with the judgment.”

Brockwell Live said 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,” a spokesperson said.

“As we prepare to deliver these much-loved, culturally significant events, we remain fully committed to its care, upkeep, and long-term wellbeing. With set-up nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival-goers later this week.”

A spokesperson for Lambeth council said: “Summer Events Limited [which runs the country show on its behalf] has applied to Lambeth council for a new certificate of lawfulness, for 24 days, following the High Court ruling last week on the previous certificate.

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

In a further statement, the council said that the judge’s decision on Friday quashed the certificate in relation to Brockwell Live events.

“The certificate confirmed that statutory permitted development rights applied to the proposal. The council did not grant planning permission, permitted development is planning permission granted by statute.

“The temporary change of use of land, including for events such as Brockwell Live, is permitted by legislation for up to 28 days in a calendar year. The judge affirmed the existence of these rights in court.

“The new certificate application is for 24 days. Consideration of the application does not stop the events proceeding.

“Lambeth Council has entered into a service agreement with Summer Events Ltd over the last two years to maintain a free and safe Lambeth Country Show and secure funding for our parks. Summer Events Ltd manage the Lambeth country show using some infrastructure from Brockwell Live.

“The events create entertainment, particularly for younger people, and are strongly backed by our diverse communities. They also boost local small businesses, particularly in the hard-pressed hospitality sector.

“The events programme is being held in late May and early June so the entire park is available during the school holidays.”

City Splash

City Splash, one of the Brockwell Live events, that that celebrates Caribbean and African culture, issued a statement saying that it would be going ahead on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May.

“We are proud to be welcoming 1,500 staff, 70 artists, 60 Black-owned food traders, artisans, small businesses, security, bar staff, tech production crews and you to the beautiful Brockwell Park,” it said.

“All artists’ flights, hotels and visas are secured, including international artists Popcaan, Tarrus Riley, Spice, Valiant, Odumodublvck and Teejay.

“Each year City Splash contributes tens of thousands of pounds to local charities, the maintenance of Brockwell Park and the running of the free to attend Lambeth Country Show, plus generating a huge amount of money within the local economy and the wider Black music economy.”

City Splash is a fully independent festival born out of our love for the music, culture and communities that we serve. Brixton has been a safe space for our communities for generations and to see it be challenged in this way is disheartening. We will continue to work our hardest to ensure we have a safe space for culture to thrive.