‘Yes to culture and diversity’: Battle over Brockwell Park heats up as residents back festivals

A group of residents have warned that Lambeth could become “sterile, unaffordable, and soulless” if a legal challenge to block festivals is successful.

Small business owners, creatives and renters in Lambeth have written an open letter in support of events taking place in Brockwell Park which they say foster community spirit and celebrate the borough’s diversity.

Festivals penned for this summer include LGBTQ friendly Mighty Hoopla, jazz and funk festival Cross the Tracks, City Splash, Wide Awake and the free Lambeth Country show which has been running for more than 50 years.

This comes after campaign group Protect Brockwell Park launched a legal challenge against the council to protect the park against large-scale events, and has crowdfunded £31,000 to cover legal costs.

Campaigners claim the park has suffered from repeated damage due to major events which they say is caught in a cycle of “fencing off” and “damage”.

But an open letter addressing “the people of Lambeth” has hit back, saying “enough is enough”.

The letter says: ‘For too long, a small but powerful group has dominated the debate about Lambeth’s future — shouting down new homes, opposing events in our parks, and trying to silence our vibrant night-time economy. 

“Their voices are loud, organised, and well-funded. But they do not speak for all of us.”

Lambeth’s night time economy isn’t just about entertainment but “life, jobs and opportunity”, the letter said.

It continued: “We need to say no to the NIMBYism that blocks the housing young people and families desperately need. 

“A borough that refuses to grow is a borough that refuses to care for its future.

“We also need to protect events in our parks which bring life, joy, and connection to Lambeth. 

“Parks are for everyone — and events are part of that shared, joyful use.”

The group has launched a petition named SayYesLambeth, already signed by 160 supporters, which calls on the council to defend its events against legal challenges.

Protect Brockwell Park issued Lambeth council with a letter before action on April 9.

Issues they highlight include HGVs driving across the grass, compacting soil and disrupting wildlife as well as polluting generators running around the clock.

Brockwell Live, the umbrella group that represents the independent festivals that take place in the park said it “welcomed scrutiny”.

The festivals have donated more than £150,000 to Lambeth organisations to date through their community fund, and have paid £317,000 to help upkeep the park over the past five years, a spokesman said.

The legal challenge was triggered after Lambeth council granted a series of live events at the park with a certificate of lawful development in March. This means that commercial events would be able to take place in Brockwell Park without planning permission.

Protect Brockwell Park described the council’s planning procedures as “unlawful”.

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “The council has received a pre-action protocol letter in relation to a judicial review claim for Brockwell Park, and are currently considering this.”

Pictured top: Johnny Clarke on the main stage of the Lambeth Country show in 2022 (Picture: Colin Taylor photography)