A High Court judge has dismissed a challenge brought against Lambeth Council by a local campaigner over its decision to use parts of Brockwell Park for a series of festivals.
The South London park has played host to a number of major events in recent years, including Mighty Hoopla, Wide Awake and Field Day, but those appeared to be in jeopardy after a campaigner took legal action against Lambeth Council last summer, arguing that the festivals did not have the correct planning permission.
The campaign group, made up of locals in the Brixton area, complained that such “large-scale” events cause environmental damage and block public access to the park for extended periods.
Local campaigner Juliet Chambers sought to legally challenge the council, claiming that the planning permission it granted was “unlawful” and that it had misinterpreted the word “recreation”, per BBC News.
However, Mr Justice Jay dismissed the bid, saying recreation was a “pastime which is pursued for the pleasure or interest it provides… It is clear in my view that this musical festival is a cultural activity.”
Festivals due to go ahead at Brockwell Park this summer include Field Day, City Splash and Mighty Hoopla, which are all due to take place later this month.
The planning permission granted by the council allows a temporary change of use for part of the park, covering a period of up to 32 days.
Sasha White KC, representing Lambeth Council, told the court: “During the events the rest of the park will be retained as public open space, therefore leaving 74% of the park open to the public throughout this period.”
White added that assessments suggested no “unacceptable harm” would arise as a result of planning permission being granted, and that nine individual benefits had been identified.
In February, Lambeth Council unanimously approved plans to hold Field Day, Cross The Tracks, City Splash and Mighty Hoopla in the final weeks of May this year, though Wide Awake will be taking the year off.
Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee said at the time that they considered several factors before making their decision, including noise controls, environmental impacts on the park and the cultural and economic impacts of the events, citing a potential £10million boost to the local economy.
Last year’s Wide Awake line-up included sets from Kneecap, CMAT, English Teacher, Daniel Avery and Nadine Shah, while previous iterations of the festival have seen artists perform, including Primal Scream, Self Esteem, and Amyl and the Sniffers.
This year’s Mighty Hoopla will run on May 30 and 31, with Lily Allen, Scissor Sisters and Jessie J leading the line-up. Find tickets here.
Field Day, meanwhile, will take place on May 23 and will feature performances from Floating Points, Honey Dijon and Joy Orbison, among others. Find tickets here.
