A judge today (16 May) ruled that Lambeth council should have undertaken a full planning permission process before approving work on infrastructure for festivals in Brockwell Park
The ruling cast doubt over whether the festivals due to start next week – which include Cross The Tracks, Mighty Hoopla and Field Day can take place.
If the infrastructure is not in place then it is likely there will be no Lambeth Country Show.
Lambeth council was told to pay £35,000 in legal costs to the campaign group that brought the case, The council was also denied an appeal.
The legal challenge was based on how long part of the Park is fenced off. Temporary changes of use for open spaces without planning permission are allowed for a maximum of 28 days in a year.
The council claimed the festivals took inside this time limit.
But Mr Justice Mould ruled that it is “self-evident” the Brockwell Live events left the park out of action for more than 28 days due to set-up and take-down either side of the festivals.
He said the certificate of lawful development the council granted for the work can “only be refused”.
Planning permission for the separate Lambeth Country Show, due to take place on 7 and 8 was granted recently. But it depends on the infrastructure for the other festivals.
Commentators believe the ruling could affect festivals across London and other urban areas.
Protect Brockwell Park, the group that sought the judicial review, raised more than £40,000 to bring the case.
The judge said its other objections to the festivals were not within his jurisdiction.
“This is a victory not just for Brockwell Park, but for communities everywhere fighting to preserve their green spaces,” said Lucy Akrill, co-founder of the Protect Brockwell Park campaign. “Parks should not be handed over for private profit without proper oversight.
“We are not opposed to well-managed, appropriately scaled community events. But what’s happening in Brockwell Park is neither appropriate nor sustainable. We reject the assumption that this beloved public green space is a suitable venue for massive and damaging festivals,” said Rebekah Shaman, the claimant in the case.
The Lambeth country show, is a community affair, and not just a profit initiative…a chance for local charities to raise some funds, and a platform to show the public how they help others..with all the performers demonstrating their crafts, it will be a sad affair if it is closed..
Last year Brockwell park was fenced off from early May to late August across its main area. The whole summer was a write off. Its loss cannot be right for 3 weekends of festivals.
It was still heavily damaged up until the fences started to go back this week which is ridiculous.
The Brockwell live series and Lambeth country show could be rotated each year within the borough so the disruption is not every summer for locals and parks have time to recover until it’s their turn again. Festivals still get to go ahead whilst locals and different parks share the burden not just one area.