Backlash over plans for three-week festival in Hyde Park

By James Walker, Local Democracy Reporter

Organisers of a three-week festival in central London are facing a backlash from people who worry others will pee on their doorsteps and keep them up all night.

The Royal Parks wants to host the British Summer Time festival at Hyde Park over three weeks instead of two.

But neighbours have complained that it would make noise and anti-social behaviour worse.

Westminster City Council is set to decide whether the festival can be extended.

A report by council officers shows locals fear the extra concerts will add to suffering already caused by large events.

One said: “There is a constant problem where events take place in the park and people drinking too much.

“This manifests itself in hordes of intoxicated people leaving and very often searching for a bathroom.

“When they cannot find one they urinate in the street near our house.”

Another said: “For us living with young kids not far from the Serpentine south gallery pavilion, the music is often so loud that it disturbs their sleep.”

Resident  Mike Donne told councillors at a meeting yesterday that allowing more concerts to take place would be “a step too far”.

He said people were already disturbed by the noise of concerts at the park, with those in West Mayfair being worst affected.

He added: “The noise levels of rehearsals are in fact considerably worse than the event itself.”

Councillor Jim Glen said The Royal Parks take the licensing rules very seriously, as shown by the time when Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney had the plug pulled on them for overrunning at a concert in the park in 2012.

Westminster City Council’s licensing team will decide if the licence can be changed to allow the three week festival within the next week.

Pictured top: The Who performing at the British Summertime Festival in 2015 (Picture: PA)