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Some of London’s most prominent festivals are now in jeopardy following a court ruling that sided with local residents opposed to events being held in a major park.
Supported by Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance, the residents’ campaign has pressured the council to confirm that upcoming summer events will be cancelled.
Brockwell Park in Lambeth has historically been a key venue for major UK festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each summer. This year’s events were set to include performances from stars like Kesha and Jade Thirlwall at Mighty Hoopla.
But backlash began after previous festivals left the park in what residents described as a “mud-bath.” Rebekah Shaman, part of the Protect Brockwell Park group, successfully took legal action against Lambeth Council, challenging their authorization of the park’s use for the upcoming festival season starting May 23.
The High Court heard that while parks can temporarily change their use for up to 28 days annually, Brockwell Park was scheduled to exceed that limit. Justice Mold ruled in favour of Shaman, meaning planned events such as Brockwell Live and Mighty Hoopla could be barred from the park.
Shaman’s legal team, Goodenough Ring solicitors, sent a letter to the council demanding confirmation that the events are cancelled and that any temporary structures or fencing be removed. The letter emphasized that Brockwell Live lacks the necessary planning permission and cannot lawfully proceed, as any application for such permission would not be processed in time.
The letter stated: “Not only do the Brockwell Live events lack planning permission, but such permission cannot be granted before the events conclude. Therefore, the event must be cancelled.”
The solicitors have given the council until 10 a.m. on May 19 to respond.
In reaction, a Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “We are currently assessing the impact of this judgement and determining next steps.”
Actor Mark Rylance celebrated the ruling, saying: “Wonderful news. Brockwell Park will again be free for all this summer—no fences, no trucks. The greenery will finally have a chance to recover. Let’s bring back the Lambeth Country Show as it was meant to be—open and inclusive. This is a small but meaningful win for nature.”
However, the decision has sparked concern within London’s already struggling events sector. Critics argue that resident complaints have contributed to the closure of several major venues.
Meanwhile, in a move to support the city’s nightlife, Mayor Sadiq Khan recently gained new authority to prevent councils and residents from forcing early closures on pubs and clubs. This decision, backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is part of an effort to cut down on what she described as “unnecessarily burdensome red tape” that is harming London’s events and hospitality industries.
