Lambeth Council Poised to Approve Brockwell Park Festivals Despite Hundreds of Objections
Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee is set to approve plans for a series of festival events in Brockwell Park during summer 2026, despite receiving overwhelming opposition from local residents and community groups. The decision will be made during a crucial meeting scheduled for February 24, 2026.
First Formal Planning Application for Brockwell Live
This marks the first time that Summer Events Ltd, the company operating the Brockwell Live festival series, has submitted a formal planning application for its events. Previously, the festivals operated under permitted development rights, which bypassed the formal consultation process with local residents.
The planning application seeks temporary permission to use just over a quarter of Brockwell Park for a maximum of 32 days between May 9 and June 9, 2026. This period includes event setup days, show days, de-rigging operations, and buffer days for potential wet weather conditions.
Significant Public Opposition Emerges
During the public consultation period that ended on December 31, 2025, Lambeth Council received 535 responses regarding the proposed festivals. The breakdown reveals substantial community concern:
- 395 formal objections to the plans
- 127 statements supporting the events
- 7 neutral comments
This represents more than three times as many objections compared to expressions of support, highlighting significant community division over the use of the popular park for commercial events.
Festival Lineup and Schedule Details
The 2026 Brockwell Live series plans to host five ticketed music and cultural festivals across two weekends in late May, including the May Bank Holiday weekend. The scheduled events include:
- Field Day festival
- Cross the Tracks festival
- City Splash festival
- Mighty Hoopla festival (spanning two days)
Notably, the popular Wide Awake festival will not be part of the 2026 program, with organizers announcing it would be "taking a break for 2026."
Community Groups Voice Multiple Concerns
Several prominent local organizations have raised serious objections to the proposed festivals. The Brixton Society criticized the plans for consisting "solely of paid commercial music events" with no free or family-focused activities, noting that ticket prices remain unaffordable for many local residents.
The group also highlighted the absence of the Lambeth Country Show, a beloved free community event that has taken place in Brockwell Park since 1974 but was cancelled for 2026 due to rising operational costs.
Friends of Brockwell Park expressed concerns that the events would occupy approximately 45 percent of accessible parkland and 60 percent of open grassland during peak summer months, significantly restricting public access. This is particularly problematic for residents without private gardens who rely on the park for outdoor space.
Environmental and Access Concerns
The Open Space Society has echoed similar concerns, estimating that around 50 percent of open space becomes unavailable during festival periods. The organization reported that surrounding areas become "effectively unusable" due to noise disturbance and amplified music.
Additionally, previous events have caused significant and lasting damage to the ground, including waterlogging and rutting that limits public enjoyment of the park long after festivals conclude.
Planning Officers Recommend Approval
Despite these objections, Lambeth Council planning officers have recommended that the committee grant conditional planning permission. Their assessment argues that the cultural, social, and economic benefits of the event series carry significant weight and outweigh potential heritage harm.
Officers noted that the temporary nature of the events and Brockwell Park's historical role in hosting cultural activities support approval. They have challenged claims about the extent of parkland usage, stating that events would occupy up to 26 percent of the park, not the higher percentages cited by opponents.
Supporters Highlight Community Benefits
Those supporting the festivals argue they provide positive wellbeing outcomes, particularly for younger residents who value shared communal experiences in open spaces. Supporters note that Brockwell Park has historically hosted major events and is well-suited for festivals due to its size and excellent transport connections.
The events have been praised for bringing diverse communities together, contributing to Lambeth's cultural identity, and celebrating diversity, with particular recognition of their importance to the LGBTQ+ community.
Legal Background and New Strategy
The planning application follows a 2025 legal ruling in favor of campaigners who argued Lambeth Council lacked proper planning permission for previous festivals. The court found that parts of the park had been used beyond the permitted 28 days under previous arrangements.
After deciding not to appeal the ruling, the council entered into a "new strategy" with Brockwell Live organizers, leading to the current planning application that allows formal public consultation.
The final decision now rests with Lambeth councillors, who will determine the future of summer festivals in one of South London's most beloved green spaces during next week's critical planning meeting.
