Campaigners have launched a legal challenge against Lambeth Council to protect Brockwell Park from large-scale private events they claim are harming local wildlife.
On April 9, local residents group Protect Brockwell Park sent a pre-action letter to the council, notifying them of their intent to initiate court proceedings.
The group aims to challenge the council's decision to grant a certificate of lawful development, which would allow commercial events in Brockwell Park to take place without requiring planning permission.
A Crowdjustice page has been set up by the group, which has raised over £31,000 to cover legal costs.
Campaigners claim the park is “under threat” from private, large-scale events, such as Mighty Hoopla and City Splash, which have had an “adverse ecological impact” on the park over the years.
The group raised several concerns, including HGVs driving across the park, 180,000 festivalgoers in six days, events held in heavy rain, polluting generators running around the clock, and problems with waste and overflowing toilets.
They argue these activities have led to "permanent damage" to parts of the grassland and are harming trees, with heavy equipment impacting root protection zones.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Our beautiful Brockwell Park is a haven for nature and of immense value to the people of Lambeth and Southwark, but it’s under threat from private, large-scale events.
“We are local people fighting a million-pound company whose unsustainable business practices are damaging our trees, disturbing wildlife, compacting the soil, and fencing off huge areas of the park for weeks at a time.
“We have repeatedly raised our concerns with Lambeth Council, but our voices have fallen on deaf ears. Lambeth has ignored petitions that have garnered thousands of signatures, local residents’ distress, and the adverse ecological impact on the park over the years.
“The Council has also failed to properly follow correct procedures and properly consult with local residents.”
The group first took action last summer by launching a petition calling for an end to the “fencing off and damaging” of the park. The petition has since gathered over 3,000 signatures.
Campaigners claim over 800 people have signed an initial response letter opposing the grant of this year's Event Permit.
Mighty Hoopla is an annual pop music festival held in London, celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community. Established in 2016, the festival has been hosted in Brockwell Park since 2018.
In 2025, the festival is scheduled for May 31 and June 1, with headliners including Ciara and Kesha.
Lambeth Council has been contacted by the Standard for comment.
