The community led group Protect Brockwell Park (PBP) have announced it will be challenging Lambeth Council’s decision to allow large-scale major events held at the south London park.
In a statement posted alongside a crowdfunding campaign, PBP said that its latest challenge is “about protecting Brockwell Park by trying to ensure events are run lawfully and in a way that respects and prioritises its landscape, ecology and local community.”
“PBP is not against all events, but the current model – large-scale, repeated commercial use with long enclosures – is not sustainable,” the group added.
The announcement comes after PBP successfully won two legal challenges in 2025, with a High Court legal dispute finding that promoter Brockwell Live did not possess the correct planning permission for its summer events. All Brockwell Live events, including Field Day, Mighty Hoopla and more, still went ahead as planned.
In early 2026, Brockwell Live was granted its planning application for all of its summer events this year.
PBP have also claimed that Lambeth Council “is still treating Brockwell Park like a commercial festival venue instead of protected public open space,” and that “it [Lambeth Council] has kept key information from the public and councillors, and ignored its basic duty to look after the park for local people rather than use it for profit.”
In a statement from Brockwell Live regarding the matter, the company stated:
“We’re disappointed that a local residents group is seeking to bring a legal challenge against Lambeth Council following the granting of planning permission for Brockwell Live 2026.
The planning process was thorough, shaped by feedback from residents, stakeholders and councillors, and supported by experts in ecology, biodiversity and planning. It confirmed the event can be delivered responsibly and, with ongoing investment, deliver a net positive impact on the park’s biodiversity and ecology.
Brockwell Live supports the UK’s under-pressure night-time and creative industries, delivers free community programmes and provides thousands of free and discounted tickets for local residents and key workers. Lambeth Council also projects the 2026 series will generate over £10 million for the local economy.
Last year, Brockwell Live welcomed more than 100,000 Londoners, including 20,000 Lambeth residents, to enjoy a diverse range of live music and culture, experiences widely shown to support well-being and quality of life.
We’re grateful for the strong public support for these homegrown London festivals, remain confident in the planning decision, and preparations for May continue as planned.“
