Music lovers can breathe a sigh of relief as organisers of the popular Brockwell Park festivals confirm the shows will go ahead as planned, despite a recent High Court ruling questioning the legality of the events’ planning permissions.
The future of the Brockwell Live series, which includes six major festivals and is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees, briefly hung in the balance last week.
Local resident and campaigner Rebekah Shaman, part of the Protect Brockwell Park group, took legal action against Lambeth Council over the use of sections of the park for commercial events.
The court ruled in the Shaman’s favour. Mr Justice Mould described the council’s decision to certify the use of the land as lawful as “irrational”, raising concerns about the council’s administrative processes.
Despite the ruling, Brockwell Live organisers have moved swiftly to allay public fears.
“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,” a spokesperson said on Monday.
The group also reassured locals about their responsibility towards the green space. “We take our stewardship of Brockwell Park seriously… we remain fully committed to its care, upkeep, and long-term wellbeing.”
With the setup almost finished, organisers say they are ready to welcome festivalgoers, including those attending performances from stars such as Kesha and former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall.
Lambeth Council has confirmed that event organisers, Summer Events Limited, have submitted a new application for a certificate of lawfulness, this time covering 24 days.
“The council is urgently considering that application. That consideration does not stop the events from proceeding,” a spokesperson stated.
While Protect Brockwell Park insists it isn’t against festivals per se, it remains concerned about the environmental toll of such events.
“We support well-run, inclusive events,” the group said. However, they argue that the festivals are damaging the park’s ecosystem, particularly grasslands and trees.
The campaign has attracted notable supporters, including actor Sir Mark Rylance, who hailed the court’s ruling as “wonderful news” and a victory for nature.
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Mr Justice Mould was keen to clarify the limits of his decision, stating it focused solely on the legality of granting the certificate, not on the events themselves. He emphasised that “what is happening on the ground” would fall under the purview of the planning authority, Lambeth Council.
Requests from the council and Summer Events Limited to appeal the ruling were turned down, but both parties can still seek permission from the Court of Appeal directly.
Despite legal hurdles and growing environmental concerns, Brockwell Park’s festival season will kick off as scheduled, reaffirming the event’s cultural importance in the capital. With legalities still in flux, and campaigners remaining vocal, the story is far from over. But for now, the music plays on.
