Hounslow Council's Planning Committee approved plans for Gunnersbury Park to host 19 days of concerts and events per year from January 2027 to December 2031, despite years of local opposition. During the September 3 meeting, the committee's legal advisor, Jimmy Walsh, threatened to call security if residents did not remain silent, as public speaking had not been scheduled.
Residents silenced at planning meeting
Members of the public attended the hearing to express their feelings, but they were not permitted to speak because a debate on the matter had already occurred at the previous Planning Committee. The committee's legal advisor, Jimmy Walsh, intervened after residents cheered or loudly shared thoughts when councillors spoke against the proposals. He told attendees, "This is not a public meeting," adding, "These are the decision makers and legally they need to speak and the opportunity for residents to speak was on the last occasion. You need to remain silent and allow members to make their decision this evening - otherwise security will be called."
Chiswick Gunnersbury Councillor Joanna Biddolph told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "The meeting actually started with me saying to the chairman that no one knew when he deferred in August that it would mean no one could speak... so I was already concerned.... to be denied the chance to speak was the wrong thing to do."
Four-hour meeting and committee vote
The planning committee meeting lasted over four hours, with the Gunnersbury Park section taking 90 minutes. During a five-minute comfort break after voting, a microphone left on picked up a councillor saying the item "dragged, longer than I thought." The item passed with Councillors Allister De Sa and Darshan Nagi voting against. Councillor Tony Louki, Labour Chief Whip, and Councillor Adrian Page of Reform UK abstained. Councillors Guy Lambert, Dan Bowring, Conrad Brown, Katherine Dunne, Adesh Farnham, Scott Hill, Craig Owen, and Pamila Rodrigues voted in favour.
Event days and capacity limits
The approved plan allows for 19 live event days per calendar year, a reduction from the originally sought 22 days per year, which was reduced following local backlash. This permission is granted for five years instead of the original 10. The plan includes a maximum of 115 operational days per year, including live performance days, set-up days, and construction days. There are two capacity bands: Band 1 permits 20,000-29,999 attendees for up to nine days per year, with the off-site music noise cap reduced by two decibels. Band 2 allows 3,500-19,999 attendees for ten days per year.
Budget implications and community concerns
Both Ealing and Hounslow Council are set to withdraw service fees for the park, which currently make up 20 per cent of its budget. The Gunnersbury Park CIC argues that live events are central to maintaining the park's budget. Residents living near the park have expressed concerns that their entire summer is being disturbed with ongoing music festivals.
