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Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
London's Brockwell Park music festivals to proceed despite High Court ruling
Despite a successful legal challenge against Lambeth Council, South London's Brockwell Park is still set to be the venue of back-to-back music festivals this summer, including City Splash and Wide Awake Music festivals at London's Brockwell Park are set to go on as scheduled, despite a recent High Court decision concerning planning permission. The park, located in London's Lambeth borough, is the venue for the popular event series Brockwell Live which features six festivals and events, including: Wide Awake, Field Day, Cross the Tracks, City Splash, Brockwell Bounce, Mighty Hoopla, and the Lambeth Country Show. Last week, local resident Rebekah Shaman of the Protect Brockwell Park group won a legal challenge against Lambeth Council regarding the use of parts of the park for this year's festivals, kicking off on May 23. Protect Brockwell Park has been vocal about the negative impact that festivals have had on the park, issuing an open letter to Lambeth Council calling for an end to 'large-scale, unsustainable events' that are 'damaging the ecological fabric of the park'. Shaman's legal challenge brought into contest Lambeth Council's assertion that the planned use of the land was lawful, given that the 37-day duration of the festivals exceeded the 28 days allowed for a temporary change of use. Mr Justice Mould branded the council's decision to certify the planned land use as lawful "irrational" in his High Court ruling on May 16. Following the judgment, lawyers representing Shaman and the Protect Brockwell Park group demanded that the council confirm the cancellation of the events and remove any related infrastructure, claiming that Brockwell Live lacked planning permission. However, a spokesperson for Brockwell Live subsequently clarified that all events will proceed as intended. Lambeth Council also stated that Summer Events Limited, the festival organisers, have submitted a fresh application for planning permission. The Brockwell Live representative announced: "Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show." The full statement, now on the Brockwell Live website, explains that the High Court ruling "dealt with a particular point of law and whether an administrative process had been carried out correctly." The statement continues: "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 set-up nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival-goers later this week." Lambeth Council also confirmed that it is working to ensure the Brockwell Live events go on as scheduled, and that organisers are taking all the necessary steps to obtain the appropriate permissions. Lambeth Council stated: "Summer Events Limited 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." Before the hearing on May 15, Protect Brockwell Park said they are "not anti-festival, we support well-run inclusive events", but that the festivals cause damage, including to the grassland and trees. Mr Justice Mould said that his decision was only about "the lawfulness of the decision to grant the certificate", after previously telling lawyers that "what is happening on the ground" would be a question for Lambeth Council as the planning authority to decide. Lawyers for the council and Summer Events Limited both asked the judge for the go-ahead to challenge his decision, but this was refused. The council and organisers still have the option to request permission from the Court of Appeal to contest the decision directly. Campaigners from Protect Brockwell Park, along with actor Sir Mark Rylance, celebrated the ruling. In a statement released by the group, Sir Mark Rylance described it as "wonderful news", adding that "every small victory for nature makes a difference". The legal challenge seems to be one obstacle in a string of many hurdles faced by London's line-up of summer music festivals. Field Day festival - set to take place in Brockwell Park this Saturday, May 24 - is facing its own crisis as multiple DJs have pulled out of the festival as part of a Palestine-related campaign against the event's parent company KKR. At time of writing, at least 15 acts have pulled out of the festival, including the Sisu Crew, Midland, Spray, Roza Terenzi and Regularfantasy. Wide Awake festival, which will kick-off the Brockwell Live events this Friday, May 23 was also under heat after calls to remove its headliner - the Irish rap trio, Kneecap - from the line-up after a controversial Coachella performance. Wide Awake festival has reconfirmed that Kneecap will perform on Friday.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
These London festivals will go ahead despite High Court drama
Brockwell Live, the organiser of events like Mighty Hoopla and the Lambeth County Show, has confirmed that all scheduled festivals in London's Brockwell Park will proceed as planned, starting on May 23. This announcement follows a High Court ruling secured by Rebekah Shaman and the Protect Brockwell Park group against Lambeth Council over the use of the park for these festivals, with the judge finding the council's decision to certify the planned use of the land as lawful was 'irrational'. Despite the ruling and demands from Protect Brockwell Park to cancel the events and remove infrastructure, Brockwell Live stated that the High Court decision concerned an administrative process and that no events would be cancelled. Lambeth Council has confirmed that Summer Events Limited, the event's organisers, has reapplied for planning permission and that the council is urgently considering the application, which does not prevent the events from proceeding. Dunkirk actor Sir Mark Rylance and Protect Brockwell Park welcomed the High Court ruling as a victory for nature, while Brockwell Live assured its commitment to the park's care and upkeep as it prepares to welcome festival-goers.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
London park festivals to go ahead as planned after court ruling, organisers say
Brockwell Park in Lambeth hosts a series of events called Brockwell Live, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to six festivals, including Mighty Hoopla, with artists including Kesha and former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall due to perform this year. Last week, Rebekah Shaman, a resident in the area and a member of the Protect Brockwell Park group, successfully brought legal action against Lambeth Council over the use of parts of the park for the festivals, which this year are due to begin on May 23. In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Mould said that the authority's decision to certify the planned use of the land as lawful was 'irrational'. Lawyers for Ms Shaman and the Protect Brockwell Park group wrote to the council following the ruling, asking it to 'confirm that the event has been cancelled' and to clear any fencing or infrastructure, and stating that Brockwell Live did not have planning permission. But on Monday, a spokesperson for Brockwell Live said that no events would be cancelled, with Lambeth Council confirming that the event's organisers, Summer Events Limited, had reapplied for planning permission. The Brockwell Live spokesperson said: 'Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show. '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 set-up nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival-goers later this week.' Lambeth Council said: 'Summer Events Limited 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.' Rebekah Shaman (front centre), from the Protect Brockwell Park group, stands with other residents from Brockwell outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London last week (Yui Mok/PA) Before the hearing last week, Protect Brockwell Park said they are 'not anti-festival, we support well-run inclusive events', but that the festivals cause damage, including to the grassland and trees. Mr Justice Mould said that his decision was only about 'the lawfulness of the decision to grant the certificate', after previously telling lawyers that 'what is happening on the ground' would be a question for Lambeth Council as the planning authority to decide. Lawyers for the council and Summer Events Limited both asked the judge for the go-ahead to challenge his decision, but this was refused. The council and organisers can still ask the Court of Appeal for permission to challenge the decision directly. The ruling was welcomed by Protect Brockwell Park campaigners as well as Dunkirk actor Sir Mark Rylance, who said in a statement issued by the group that it was 'wonderful news' and that 'every small victory for nature makes a difference'.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
London music festivals insist they won't be cancelled after court sided with residents including Mark Rylance who sued council over decision to use park for events
London music festivals insist they will go ahead despite a High Court ruling that found the use of parts of the park as an event space for more than 28 days was 'irrational'. The ruling was welcomed by Protect Brockwell Park campaigners as well as Dunkirk actor Sir Mark Rylance, who said in a statement issued by the group that it was 'wonderful news' and that 'every small victory for nature makes a difference'. However, a spokesperson for the planned music festivals due to take place this month said they will not be cancelled. Brockwell Park in Lambeth hosts a series of events called Brockwell Live, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to six festivals, including Mighty Hoopla, with artists including Kesha and former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall due to perform this year. Last week, Rebekah Shaman, a resident in the area successfully brought legal action against Lambeth Council over the use of parts of the park for the festivals, which this year are due to begin on May 23. The High Court in London previously heard the challenge was over the council's decision to certify the planned use of the land as lawful as, under permitted development rules, a temporary change of use is allowed for a total of 28 days each calendar year. In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Mould ruled in Ms Shaman's favour, finding parts of the park would be used as event space for more than 28 days and that the decision to grant the certificate was 'irrational'. Lawyers for Ms Shaman and the Protect Brockwell Park group wrote to the council following the ruling, asking it to 'confirm that the event has been cancelled' and to clear any fencing or infrastructure. They also stated that Brockwell Live did not have planning permission. But on Monday, a spokesperson for Brockwell Live said that no events would be cancelled, with Lambeth Council confirming that the event's organisers, Summer Events Limited, had reapplied for planning permission. Alongside Mighty Hoopla, Brockwell Live features events including family orientated Brockwell Bounce and alternative music festival Wide Awake. The Brockwell Live spokesperson said: 'Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show. '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 set-up nearly complete, we look forward to opening the gates and welcoming festival-goers later this week.' Lambeth Council said: 'Summer Events Limited 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.' Before the hearing last week, Protect Brockwell Park said they were 'not anti-festival, we support well-run inclusive events', but that the festivals cause damage, including to the grassland and trees. In a celebratory statement issued by the campaign group, Sir Rylance said: 'Wonderful news. Brockwell park will be open to all for free again this summer. No walls. No trucks. 'The grass, and trees, and plants will have a chance to recover from the years of abuse. 'Now let's help revive the beloved Lambeth country fair as it used to be, open to all. Congratulations to all who worked so devotedly to achieve this decision. 'Every small victory for nature makes a difference.' After the decision, Ms Shaman said: '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.' Mr Justice Mould said that his decision was only about 'the lawfulness of the decision to grant the certificate', after previously telling lawyers that 'what is happening on the ground' would be a question for Lambeth Council as the planning authority to decide. Lawyers for the council and Summer Events Limited both asked the judge for the go-ahead to challenge his decision, but this was refused. The council and organisers can still ask the Court of Appeal for permission to challenge the decision directly.
Metro
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over their futures
A series of live festivals in south London will go ahead despite a high court ruling against them, organisers have said. The Brockwell Live events attract hundreds of thousands of people every year and include the Lambeth Country Show. The High Court on Friday backed a campaign by some residents claiming that the application for permission to hold the events had failed to meet all requirements. However festival organisers say the ruling was only on an administrative technicality and so the shows will go on. Brockwell Park in Lambeth hosts the Wide Awake and Mighty Hoopla music events. The live events run from Friday with Kneecap topping the bill at the Wide Awake festival. Other events will run until June 8. But Rebekah Shaman, who lives in the area and is a member of the Protect Brockwell Park Group, challenged Lambeth Council's decision to permit the events, claiming additional planning consent was needed to change the use of the park for more than 28 days each year. Mr Justice Mould ruled in her favour finding that the green space was being used for up to 37 days a year for the festivals. But a statement from Brockwell Live said the shows would go on. It said: 'Brockwell Live can confirm that all events in the series will go ahead as planned, including the Lambeth Country Show. 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.' Michael Kill, chief executive of the London Night Time Industries Association previously warned of the impact of cancelling the festivals. He said: 'Cancelling the festivals would directly impact thousands of people… many of whom rely on the summer season to sustain their livelihoods. 'The supply chain from staging and gutting companies to local food and drink vendors would suffer heavy financial losses. More Trending He said the capital has a wider problem with the struggle to gain permission for music events. 'If these festivals are unable to proceed it would mark a devastating blow to London's identity as a global hub for live music, culture and community celebration and would signal a dark new era for the UK's events and festival sector A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: 'Summer Events Limited 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.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Kevin De Bruyne can savour Manchester City send-off with goal against Bournemouth MORE: Two Brits busted for cannabis smuggling within hours of each at same airport MORE: 'Vieve's skin-boosting primer makes me look like I've had 8 hours of sleep'
