Comments received from Brockwell Park Community Partners stakeholder groups (2)
1. Comment from John Roberts Brockwell Park Miniature Railway
I am extremely concerned about these huge paid events, that are most likely to start from the beginning of June through to no doubt the middle of August due to breakdown of the event site. We in Brockwell Park Miniature Railway had already sustained vandalism from the Sunfall festival, with out-of-pocket loss. The survival of the railway has been put at great risk of closing down, as we rely on the 2018 fares to help pay our insurance. As I no longer have a serviceable vehicle, without the container there is a very strong chance that we may not open in 2018.
2. Colin Wight On behalf of the Herne Hill Society
I brought these two proposals to the attention of the committee of the Herne Hill Society and they were discussed yesterday evening. Please any of what follows that may be helpful.
The Society's aim is to help improve the quality of the environment and amenities of the locality for the benefit of residents and visitors. Given that these are priced commercial events, there seems to be little, if any, clear benefit to the general community of Herne Hill in these proposals. Loss of the amenity of large areas of the park for extended periods during the summer (weeks rather than days) is a major factor, in addition to the large crowds and noise nuisance of the three-day events themselves. We believe that the numbers planned for (up to 40,000 in a single day) with most people arriving and leaving within a narrow time slot will be very disruptive to residents and other visitors who wish to move around the area and will not be welcomed by the majority of traders. We also note that Victoria Park, the previous venue for both events, is nearly twice the size of Brockwell Park.
We would welcome a presentation from the organisers that would give local residents and traders, and other interested parties, the opportunity to express their concerns.
Colin Wight, for The Herne Hill Society
Comments from M. Rogers, Voting member of the public (BPCP) >
I have spoken to some members of the public who are concerned about:
Potential loss of quiet space areas of the Park being closed off. Length of time that the whole back to back operation will take and the extra safety security of park users during the period of: Love Box/ Country Show.
Amount of time between events 6th June to July leaves less than 1 summer month at a time schools visit the park more often. Football users and other community events.
I understand personally the plight Lambeth faces in an austerity led future but it seems to me that this message is not getting across to the general public. Lambeth seems to look at Parks as event venues not as free open, environmentally valuable accessible spaces for the health and wellbeing of the community. As Brixton Society have mentioned: 'they are concerned to see that the proposed event layout will completely block access from the west side of the park to the Lido, and will restrict access to the BMX track and model railway site. There are also concerns raised about thee: problems which inconvenience the Park e.g. by 'Sunfall' queues due to extra security required and the breaking down fences, damage caused of turning lorries and impacts on major road Bus routes etc
Numbers of local residents inconvenienced Herne Hill and Tulse hill shops
Car parking reductions in local streets
Those problems are in addition to the large area of the park that will be taken out of public use, and potential noise and reinstatement issues.
Entrance and egress from Water Lane (Gate 7) will utilise the main path that all other park users will need to use to navigate round the park given all the other path closures on event days. This will include of course mobility scooters, cyclists, pushchairs etc.
The route from Gate 7 takes festival goers past some sensitive areas of the park, including the Wildflower area (which is still in planning stages), the Community Greenhouses, Walled Garden, landscaped.
I also spoke to a concerned resident who knew from personal experience of working at Victoria Park that the extra-mural associated problems occurring due to festivals, which the local council did little to eradicate.
Marilyn Rogers, BPCP
Comments from individuals responding to BPCP mailings
1. Tanya Shoop - Alexander Technique > wrote:
I wish to register my concern about these large events taking place in Brockwell Park.
Brockwell Park is a much smaller park than Victoria Park and is not big enough to sustain such large events.
They will have a negative impact on the environment - plants, animals and birdlife - and also large events have proved disruptive to the neighbourhood. At the last big event (Sundance?) there was a lot or rubbish strewn around as well as loud drunken behaviour late into the night, including urinating into gardens. This happened all around the park including Brockwell Gate, where I live. Directors from Brockwell Gate wrote to Cllr Winifred at Lambeth to complain about the last event but did not receive a reply.
The noise is also very loud for local residents. The park has a lot of housing immediately around it and many people have had to go away for the night or weekends when events are on as it is so noisy.
The park is for local residents and will be made inaccessible for weeks at a time with these large events. This is not reasonable. Perhaps it may be unlawful. Brixton is a very densely populated area where a lot of residents need access to outside space. Local businesses also suffer as locals often keep away and visitors just spend their money at the events, giving money to the large businesses running the events.
Lambeth have not informed us how the monies raised will be spent. Damage from previous events, including to benches, has still not been rectified.
It is highly probably that Lambeth have already signed deals for this, looking at previous behaviours. If this is so, then the consultation process is a mockery. Hopefully you can prove me wrong on this score.I look forward to hearing your views.
Tanya Shoop
2. SMITH, HELEN wrote:
It is bad enough to tolerate when the park is disrupted now. but to add yet more events and have people drunk and being sick all over the park. The park is a haven for many people including myself and to have more drug dealers and drunks in the park with extra events is not on. Lambeth also have Clapham common they could use.
3. Francesca Mills > wrote: I am writing about the proposal which has been put forward to hold additional festivals in the park in 2018.
I am a resident in and am affected by the festivals already held each year.
Last year, the noise of the music and the PA systems was so great that we were unable to sit and enjoy the amenity of our own garden, and had to go inside and close the windows so as to have some peace and quiet.
Further, the parking in our road, and across our off road parking,( in front of our house) was such that our drive was constantly blocked, making it impossible for us to get into our off road parking. Needless to say, the amount of parked cars on the road made it such that it was also impossible for us to park in our road, and we had to go almost to Dulwich Village to be able to park our car on several occasions.
This is all not to mention the rubbish we have to endure, and the noise from people still in party mode leaving the festivals and walking back along our road at night. We have several times had people urinate in our garden - not something we normally have to endure.
I am also more than concerned about the effect on the wildlife in the park, especially as it is proposed to extend the current boundaries of the site to the small ponds. I use the park every day, and am also more than inconvenienced by the lack of amenity in being able to use the park whilst the build up and strike take place and during the festivals.
I am told that no references were taken up with Tower Hamlets with the organisers of the new proposed festivals...this is lack of due diligence, as they were thrown out of Victoria Park because of their continued lack of compliance over the years. I would like your response to this as a matter of urgency. Francesca Mills
4. Becca Collins >
My name is Becca, I’m a current student at the Royal College of Art. I oppose these two festivals.
Since I moved to Brixton in the summer, Brockwell Park has been my place of refuge. It’s beginning to really mean a lot to me. I’m planning on spending a lot of time at the park over the next few years, and I’d love to give something back to it. Unfortunately, I study full-time and teach part-time, which means that the time I can give to volunteering is limited, but I would love to show my support for the park in carrying out a project for my studies at Brockwell Park - I’m particularly interested in what the park does for the community, and what it means for the areas identity. I have read the group's constitution and am interested in your commitment to fulfilling the needs of the parks users.
If you’re interested, I’d love to meet with the committee and discuss ideas and chat about the park - I’m sure we’d all have a lot to say!
You can see some of my recent work on my instagram page - , or, I currently have work on show at the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, which is open until late January - https://royaldrawingschool.org/lectures-events/drawing-year-201617-end-year-exhibition/.
I’m aware that the next few weeks will be a busy time for everyone so will be happy to continue dialogue after Christmas! But just wanted you to be aware of my enthusiasm for getting something going. Becca
5. Carolynn Russ > wrote:
I have been extremely distraught to hear that Lambeth council is planning to hire out Brockwell Park, purely for profit purposes, to host large scale events that are not community orientated, will bring no business to the local area and will stop vast areas of the park being available for use by all. There has been no consultation with the community regarding upcoming large scale events in Brockwell Park... I live a minute's walk away from the park and use it at least twice a day with my toddler and dog - every day. I find it very difficult to find out what future events are planned for the park despite living so close.... I think it is disgraceful the community are not involved or consulted especially if there are huge events planned that would put vast areas of the park out of action for weeks. Our park is in the middle of a family orientated, residential area - for the immediate community to make use of... this space is an essential part of many people’s daily lives. It is not to be used as an area to make money for by hosting events for people outside of the local community. It is an area where locals can unwind, take some exercise, walk their dog, play with their children. It is a space essential for people to use to combat stress and mental health as well as physical health. It is not a venue to be seen to make profit from - like a stadium would be. To all councillors making decisions about such future events - please consider the local community and businesses. If it's not a family orientated, community event - it shouldn't be happening here. Carolynn Russ
6. Jennie Walters < > wrote:
I am writing to you because I am so dismayed about the possible plans to hold two large-scale musical events in Brockwell Park over the summer. These gigs are on a massive scale, far larger than anything which has been held in the park to date, and I think they'll cause chaos, both within the park itself and in the surrounding streets.
I live in Herne Hill and walk my dogs twice a day in Brockwell Park. It is, and should be, an amenity for everyone in the area. Children play there, and all sorts of local groups use it for sport and recreation. These huge festivals are completely inappropriate and mean that the park will be unavailable for local residents for weeks at a time over the summer, just when everyone enjoys it and needs it most. The Lambeth Country Show and the various funfairs leave enough litter and rubbish behind, and I can't begin to imagine the effect of events that are two or three times as large.
I would be grateful if you could do everything in your power to urge Lambeth Council not to grant licences for these proposed events. Jennie Walters
7. Judy Holman wrote:
I am writing as a regular user of the park - walking, using the Lido, taking grandchildren there- to say that while I am not against all events in the park I would prefer them to be smaller, and better monitored for littler and noise. And for the organisers to be more accountable when things go wrong.
Judy Holman
8. JoAnn Thornton wrote:
Dear Community Partners,
My family and I live in Winterbrook Road and we experience great difficulty in parking our car on our even on Sundays when the Farmer’s Market and it is near impossible during the Lambeth Country Fair and other big events. We certainly hear very clearly the noise of these big events that happen year round in the park, but these new festivals would be days of high-volume music at a time when windows are open. These festivals would be high-volume for days at a time.
They would also prohibit any peaceful enjoyment of the park during the period of the concerts. Indeed, my young adult children inform me that a great deal of drug-taking is in clear evidence at Lovebox events and it would be dangerous to allow children and teenagers to enter the park when it would be a magnet for drug-dealers and the criminals that prey on drunk and drug-affected festival goers.
Herne Hill is surrounded by residential areas inhabited by families; children would be witnesses to criminal behaviour and even worse, could be approached by dealers. The damage from these events could not be easily qualified and would be far more than the price exacted from the Council.
These festivals would not be well-attended by locals, serving mainly outsiders, but the noise, the litter, the criminal element attracted by these events would be suffered intensely by those who live here.
We must work to restrict activities in the park for ones that a wider audience can enjoy, as well as leaving regular park goers to enjoy their daily benefits of a walk in the park.
Many thanks for your consideration,
JoAnn Thornton
9. Andrew Butler > wrote:
Dear Sirs, Madams,
I am writing to express my fervent opposition to the proposal to hold the Field Day and Lovebox festivals in Brockwell Park next year.
The reasons for my opposition can be summarised as follows.
First, the park is simply not of a size which would enable it to cope with these festivals. There would be no spaces within the park where the effects of the festival would not be visible. That is quite simply an unfair imposition on park users, with set up and the festivals themselves being scheduled to occupy 28 days over the height of summer.
Second, the geography of the surrounding area is not conducive to such events. The park is bordered on all sides by quiet residential areas. The roads are narrow and during busy parking times often permit traffic to pass in one direction only. This will be exacerbated during set up and in particular during the festivals themselves, when the streets will become all but impassable for long periods. In the past, I have found it almost impossible to get to and from my home, let alone to park.
Finally, the park itself is showing signs of damage from the existing programme of events which it hosts. These proposed events are on a significantly bigger scale and are likely to cause even more damage to the fabric of the park.
I do not believe that there is any financial case which can be made out for the hosting of these festivals.
I strongly oppose them and I am aware that this view is widely shared by other residents. The Council can expect a high degree of local anger if it approves these plans.
Andrew Butler
10. Louise Wood wrote:
I am writing on behalf to the Burbage Road Residents' Association in connection with these proposed two events in Brockwell Park.
We represent 200 households in this road which lies 1/2 a mile away from Brockwell Park and is made up of family households ( including several facilities directed at the elderly) a GP surgery and a care facility for those with severe learning disabilities.
I have been asked by our residents to voice our strongest objection to these two events on the following grounds:
Together with other planned events, such as the Lambeth Country Show and the world Cycling Revival ( http://cyclingrevival.com ) this will from a virtually continuous stream of large scale outdoor events in this firmly residential area.
The noise from existing events in this Park ( including an electronic music festival last summer) causes considerable upset as it carries across gardens and into homes, especially in the summer months when people are enjoying being outdoors most.
The events include music into the late evening (11pm). Again this is entirely inappropriate for a residential area.
Many children will be undertaking public exams and school work during the proposed June event.
The increased pressure on parking in residential streets and public transport will be considerable.
Local trade in the Herne Hill area will be adversely affected as locals stay away. Traders are already adversely affected by works around Herne Hill Station. The pressure on policing and safety will be unacceptable. Of particular concern are personal safety and drug availability.
The disruption to roads during the setup, festival itself and clear up will put immense pressure on busy routes through Herne Hill, Brixton and Tulse Hill.The limitation on access to significant parts of this public amenity in the light spring and summer months for local families seems to be against the public interest, especially the young and those who do not have access to gardens or green spaces of their own.
It is our strong belief that it is not in the interests of those who live nearby ( in Lambeth and Southwark) for these events to take place.
I shall be happy to provide further information and grateful if you will acknowledge receipt of our concerns.
Louise Wood, Louise Wood on behalf of the Burbage Road Residents’ Association, turneyandburbage.org.uk
11. Parlour Team < > wrote:
Thank you for your support so far regarding the community's concerns surrounding the proposed summer festivals in Brockwell Park. Please find below my letter of objection which I have sent to Lambeth Council.
I am writing to object to the proposed commercial festivals – Field Day and Love Box - in Brockwell Park in 2018. If the council are intent on pushing these applications through, I would also like the following recommendations to be considered as part of the consultation process.
My objections are based on the following:
Brockwell Park is much smaller than the original venues and therefore will not be able to cope with the volume of people. The organisers of Field Day, for example, are planning to keep the same capacity as at Victoria Park, and this should be rejected by Lambeth Council. If the events are given the go ahead in Brockwell Park the council should put a much lower cap on the daily and weekend tickets. The 40,000 capacity for the Saturday of Field Day, for example, should be reduced in line with the days either side. This would still meet the council’s plan for 20,000 per day ‘big’ events.
The set up for each event is too disruptive. At the recent Field Day meeting at Herne Hill Baptist Church, local residents were told that the set up would begin on 20 May and finish on 10 June. If then, for up to 3 weeks per festival, areas of the park are disrupted by lorries, fenced off and inaccessible and covered in equipment, it is the council’s responsibility to refuse permission for the additional two private festivals. London parks are designed to be free spaces for everyone. As a dog-friendly, child-friendly space, filling it with vehicles is not only dangerous but increases pollution. Field Day, for example, limits the use of the park during half term when families need it the most. If the council want two private festivals next summer, then the council should ensure that set up time is significantly reduced to a maximum of three days each.
The amount of equipment brought in and out of the park during each festival (the set-up, the event and the take down) will not only damage the grass (leaving many cordoned off areas afterwards), but will also affect the biodiversity of the park. The council has not adequately considered or reassured the community about the impact on wildlife. The level of noise, the numbers of people, potential vandalism, as well as glass, urine, drug paraphernalia and litter are just some of the issues that will cause permanent damage or injury. This was evident from the Sunfall festival in 2017. If these issues cannot be resolved, the application for the proposed festivals must be rejected. Local people will suffer if the park is taken over by festivals all summer. There are not enough green spaces in London and while Lambeth boasts about having 14 of them they are not treating the spaces, or the people that use them, with respect. During last year’s Sunfall festival loss of access to the park, huge crowds massing in the streets, drug use as well as anti-social behavior all served to damage the area. Local businesses also suffer. During Sunfall, Costcutter on Norwood Road had to deal with increased shop lifting, policing their door because festival goers became aggressive. Although the council have concluded that Sunfall will not take place in 2018, the same problems are likely for both Field Day and Love Box. While LCS serves the community and showcases local charities, business, music and arts, Love Box and Field Day do not. If Lambeth Council want to approve the applications, they must show a greater understanding of, and offer greater practical support to, the people and businesses in Southwark as well as Lambeth:
o Council funded CCTV should be fitted along the Norwood Road and Dulwich Road where businesses are most at risk of damage.
o Any business which suffers from damage as a direct result of these festivals should be offered full compensation to cover repairs so that they do not have to use insurance.
o Local traders should be given the opportunity to agree the level of policing (for Sunfall there was not enough) and additional street cleaning, including planters, must happen before dawn on each day. Because of the boundary on Norwood Road, there is a distinct lack of clear up during events and traders are left to do it themselves because both councils relinquish responsibility. Lambeth Council should take full responsibility for cleaning both sides Norwood Road, despite half falling within Southwark, because the festivals will have caused significant litter.
Lambeth Council’s consultation process seems to work in favour of the applications rather than the community. There has not been enough readily available documentation on the environmental impact or the financial incentive for the council. What has been haphazardly circulated is vague at best and purposefully confusing at worst. Although promises of further consultation have been given, media around the festivals, including ticket availability, suggests that this is a ‘done deal’. The consultation in 2015 is a poor excuse for steam rolling the events now. Before Lambeth Council speed through the application, they must provide further information and opportunities for compromise.
As a local trader, Field Day organisers and members of the council argue that I will benefit from this increase in park use. I disagree. My café is frequented by families, dog walkers and freelancers. Each of these groups will be put off using Herne Hill if the park is no longer the place of sanctuary it should be. Being opposite the park, the disruption to the main entrance and the impact on traffic and increased noise on Norwood Road will also negatively impact my business, especially in the weeks running up to each event. Having spoken to other traders, many feel the same as I do - an increase in anxiety and stress during this time, due to fears about damage to shops at the end of the night, or that (as in the past) we will lose out financially due to loss of footfall or closing early to avoid antisocial behavior. This is a clear reason to reject the proposals. In addition, because I am a sole trader, independently running a small business, I cannot compete with the large traders that these festivals bring in to cater. The stalls in these fenced off festivals mean that the only reason people come to my shop is to try and use the toilet free of charge because the ones in the park are so disgusting and there are not enough of them. At Sunfall festival when I asked one person to stop littering the area outside my shop with fried chicken bones their response was to threaten me and then throw their food at my window. If Lambeth Council are considering the applications, they must ensure that adequate funding is provided by the festival organisers to keep all areas around the park (including on the Southwark side) safe and minimize disruption.
o Set up and take down times should be reduced and not carried out during peak times. o Traders should be fully compensated if they are forced to shut over the events because of the impact of the festivals.
o Organisers should offer local businesses a free marketing package to showcase Herne Hill shops to visitors who would not normally come to the area. Organisers should use their large social media presences to promote independent businesses in the area, as well as in-festival information points with a guide to the local area highlighting local businesses.
o Lambeth’s approval of concession stands in the park should have greater consideration of local Southwark businesses. Lambeth’s recent decision to allow Pines and Needles, as well as a coffee stand at the gate from Brockwell Hall Café, did not seem to acknowledge the impact on other local businesses.
o Organisers should offer incentives for people going to the festivals to use local businesses. Field Day are currently tweeting opportunities to win tickets, street feast vouchers and drinks vouchers for next summer. They could be including freebies from local business that they have sponsored.
I hope that you will understand the importance of keeping the park a tranquil, safe and clean place for everyone in the local community to enjoy. There are many ways to use the park to raise revenue – other organisers, such as Udderbelly, would be easier to set up and maintain, keeping the majority of the park open, whilst also bringing money and people to the area. To choose private companies, who offer so little back, lacks an awareness of the people the council was elected to represent. It was especially disappointing that in light of the above, Lambeth Events Team sent late apologies and were not represented at the Herne Hill Traders’ Meeting on 30 November. Attending this meeting would have given the traders some sense that the council are working for the community, rather than for profit.
Please object to this proposal and keep our park safe & accessible for our local community. Field Day and Love Box are too big, too damaging and too anti-social to be hosted in Brockwell Park.
Caroline Paice
12. charles fairhurst wrote:
I would like to strongly object to the extent of Lambeth Councils plans, which will effect residents in Southwark to a greater degree I have friends who have lived near Victoria Park for the past few years whose life has been a misery in the run up and during these festivals Crime and disruption and anti-social behaviour have rocketed and the Park never returns to it’s previous state There has been no discussion with local residents - we have purely all learnt by word of mouth Yours Dr Charlie Fairhurst
13. Miranda Rule > wrote:
I am concerned at the increase of concerts proposed in Brockwell Park for 2018. Brockwell Park is a haven of peace and tranquility for thousands of people. It gets so damaged after a large event. A few low key events here and there are manageable but not the suggested increase for next year, especially around the unmissable Country Show. The park might already be in such a state that sitting on the grass and walking around at the Country Show might not be possible. Miranda Rule
14. Ed Gillett > wrote:
I live next to Brockwell Park, and wanted to voice my concerns about Field Day and Lovebox potentially taking place in the park next summer.
I should begin by saying that as a music lover and a regular festival-goer in my early 30s, I'm a big fan of both events, and have been a regular attendee of Field Day in particular for many years. I also understand the need for Lambeth’s parks to generate income. I am not instinctively opposed to either of these festivals, and I would be delighted to see them find a sustainable long-term home in Brockwell Park.
However, for that to be feasible then Lambeth Council and the event organisers need to ensure that any benefits derived from these festivals are proportional to the disruption and damage they cause. I feel that the current proposals fall well short of what’s required.
There are five issues I particularly want to raise:
1.) The proposed audience numbers are too high. Sunfall only involved 20,000 people, and was run by the industry-leading Columbo Group, yet it still ran into a large number of well-documented issues, not all of which can be dismissed by bad luck or poor management. Increasing the total number of festival attendees to 200,000 when 10% of that figure has already proved problematic seems unjustifiable and short-sighted.
In addition, the proposed overall capacities of both Field Day and Lovebox have been increased from 2017, despite moving from a site which is nearly twice the size of Brockwell Park, flatter and more open in terms of its layout. The Herne Hill side of Brockwell Park is hilly and cramped, with substantial drainage problems and awkward access for heavy vehicles. It is a far from perfect location, even before considering the additional teething problems which inevitably occur whenever events like this move to a new venue.
None of these issues appear to have been reflected in the proposed number of attendees. Even trusting in the skills of those delivering these events, if 40,000 was an appropriate maximum capacity for Victoria Park, a more amenable site where organisers had several years of experience, then by any reasonable estimation the equivalent capacity for Brockwell Park must be lower.
Lambeth Council and the event organisers need to urgently rethink these proposals, and limit the event size to something which properly reflects Brockwell Park’s specific challenges and limitations.
2.) In conjunction with the event capacity, the proposed festival area and build times represent an unjustifiable disruption for park users.
It's not just the 35% of the park which will be fenced off (though this is in itself is excessive) but the remaining area, which has to accommodate those displaced from the festival area during several of the busiest weeks and weekends of the year.
This is compounded by the proposals for extremely lengthy construction work, which have not been explained or justified. It’s unclear why these events each require three weeks of set-up time when the Lambeth Country Show or Sunfall need less than 10 days. Again, it’s a question of proportionality: how valuable is the additional income promised by these events, if they mean that large swathes of the park will be off-limits to the local community at a time when they’re most valued and used?
3.) The event running times are also problematic. Lovebox’s proposed 11pm curfew is an hour later than the one in place last year for Sunfall, and steps over the line of acceptability for those who work at weekends or at night, those with mental health problems, families with young children, and other vulnerable groups.
It will be close to midnight before the area is fully cleared, meaning that transport (particularly trains from Herne Hill station and buses) will be less frequent or non-existent, increasing the risk of prolonged crowding and anti-social behaviour.
Running times should also be viewed in the context of events taking place over three consecutive days, and over multiple weekends. Adding the Lambeth Country Show means that a large chunk of July will see no quiet weekend days at all. Dealing with loud noise or crowds may be manageable for most people if it's a one-off, but the cumulative impact of repeated loud noise and construction work is going to be far more damaging, and feels excessive here.
There are also particular issues with the proposed event days on Fridays, given that all of the transport routes suggested by event organisers already handle large volumes of commuter travel and are clearly unsuited for dealing with tens of thousands of extra people travelling at rush hour. Some extra crowding is inevitable around large events, but holding these festivals over three days rather than two is going to cause huge problems, not only for local residents but thousands more who travel through this area on their way home. I don’t believe that’s a fair trade-off.
4.) The impact on local businesses appears not to have been fully considered or assessed. I was surprised to hear that Lambeth themselves don’t appear to know if these events are a net benefit to the local economy or not.
Common sense says that local traders, with the possible exception of pubs and fast-food outlets, are likely to see a severe dent in their profits: again, these issues are going to be compounded by the increased size and length of the proposed festivals, and do not appear to have been properly factored into determining exactly what the appropriate scope of the events should be.
5.) I am concerned about the inconsistent communication from the council and organisers. I applaud Field Day for proactively engaging with the local community, but I note that promised follow-up communication (e.g. sharing the presentation from their recent event) has not transpired. Lovebox’s failure to engage directly at all is particularly worrying.
There is also a strong perception that the council’s financial interest in seeing these events go ahead means that they are a “done deal” no matter what the rest of us think. I appreciate that the council have denied any pre-judgment, but I think more could be done to make their position clearer.
I want to see Field Day and Lovebox develop a positive, long-lasting relationship with Brockwell Park and the local community, from which everyone can benefit. I believe that’s a realistic and worthwhile goal.
However, I do not believe this is achievable without a serious rethink of the current proposals, including a reduction in each festival’s capacity, area, build schedule and running times, alongside more support for local businesses and more open communication with locals.
Ed Gillett
15. lucinda inglis wrote:
I am writing to ask that you reconsider allowing Love Box and field day festivals to host their events in Brockwell Park.
This park is very popular within the community and it simply is not large enough to accommodate both ticketed festivals and the local population. You would be forcing out families, dog walkers and other peaceful park users in favour if monetary gain. Surely there are other ways to earn more money than ruining such a beautiful and quiet, family orientated Park.
Please, please listen to your resident who are begging you to just leave our park alone.
Lucinda Inglis
16. Sandra Murrell wrote:
I am dismayed and anxious to learn of the plans to hold Lovebox and Field Day festivals 2018 in Brockwell Park. Even more dismayed to see that the festivals have already been advertised and tickets sold, before consultation with the community has been completed.
Victoria Park is almost twice the size of Brockwell Park, and yet from speaking to friends who live in the area I know that it has become very damaging and dominant to the park and its users.
We live on Rosendale Road by the park and I am there almost daily with my two small children. I know countless other families who are too. The park serves a highly populated surrounding area, and many families who are without a garden rely on it as the only outdoor space for their children. The prospect of vast areas of the park being off limits for so many weeks of the summer, and then being damaged for the remainder of the year, is depressing to say the least. Not least because any small revenue brought in by the festival will not cover any damage incurred or be put back into the local community in any way.
Events like this put pressure on transport links, cause local nuisance and disruption, and the park will be choked with cans and canisters. Mass public urination and damage/vandalism are also inevitable.
I would personally ask you to reconsider your position on this matter before all of this disruption and damage is allowed to descend on our beautiful park.
Sandra Murrell, Eleanor aged 3 and Alexander aged 3 months
17. Rebecca Johnson wrote:
I am writing to appeal for a full and proper consultation with local residents before the Lovebox and Field Day festivals are allowed to happen in Brockwell Park. Tickets for these events are already on sale and yet the full impact on local residents does not appear to have been considered. Please, please think again. We live near, use and love Brockwell Park. We got a puppy in the summer and walking the dog in the park is a much loved way of getting the kids out of the house and away from screens. We love Brockwell Park and the small urban green space it offers us (and so many others) when we need a bit of headspace.
Massive commercial festivals attract visitors from all over the country and take over large areas of the park for long periods (particularly over the summer when we most want to use it). Such events have a huge impact on the local area, changing it for the worse, and are just not fair on local residents. The impact of such events is enormous. Effects includes transport congestion, overcrowding of all local areas, litter (including drug equipment, a hazard to children and pets), urine and other mess in the park and surrounding streets, huge noise levels, alcohol and drug overuse resulting in nuisance behaviour in residential areas, damage to plants and wildlife and general disturbance in what is a much loved public space. None of these are conducive to keeping a family-centred community park that is loved and used by so many local residents. The people who come to such festivals do not generally care about the local environment, nor do they contribute to the local economy. While I appreciate the appeal to the council of the huge fees no doubt paid by the organisers of these events, the considerations of local residents who do contribute to the local economy cannot be overlooked. We should be put first. Keep our park safe, open and of high quality instead of hiring it out to be abused.
These events are just too big for Brockwell Park to cope with. Please don’t do it. Rebecca Johnson
18. Noelle Egan wrote: We live in , very close to Brockwell Park which we use on a daily basis. We went to the meeting recently called by the promoter of the Field Day Festival (as a residents' consultation) who confirmed that it has applied to hold the festival in Brockwell Park, over 3 days in June 2018, with 40,000 people attending per day, taking over a third of the park for 3 weeks (20th May to 10th June) to include set up and de-commissioning) with walled fences. We understand that Lovebox/Citadel festivals have also submitted an application for an even bigger event July 2018, a week before the Lambeth Country Show. Both have sought to find a new location, having been pushed out of Victoria Park where they have been for many years. There was a strong level of concern voiced by all those present and indeed shock at the scale of proposals for this and other events. Field Day has a fine reputation as a festival (can’t say the same for Lovebox alas), and we are all aware of the financial pressures on Councils. We don’t object to events in principle, but have these four issues relating to Field Day/Lovebox. 1. The scale of these events as proposed is unsustainable. 2 massive on top of the Country Show for one. Victoria Park is 70% larger than Brockwell Park and it struggled to manage the pressure of numbers, noise, nuisance, congestion and other impacts on residents that 40,00 people a day brings. Half the proposed size and a much tighter set of requirements for building and de-commissioning timescales for the event might be manageable, but this scale will totally disable normal life in the area for much of the summer. 2. Allied with other proposed events including the locally focussed and very popular Country Show, these further events will virtually exclude locals enjoying the park for significant and unacceptable periods of the summer months - this is simply wrong. 3. The proposed footprints takes up far too much of the area of the park. The space permitted should be limited to a smaller area. 4. The financial recompense is entirely insufficient to allow the benefits to outweigh the adverse implications for the park and residents’ detriment, and an insufficient proportion of the parks levy is directly invested in the park. More income from fewer events should be the strategic model to be pursued on events, using Brockwell Hall more and so on, rather than all these massive events. The most important single thing to say is ‘No Brockwell Park, no Lovebox 2018, no Field Day 2018’. The Council must use this leverage to lay down conditions upon accepting these applications, given that granting them is the way the Council is clearly going. Smaller numbers, smaller footprint, shorter time in build and decommissioning - take it or leave it! I ask that you please use your influence to ensure that the Council challenges or rejects these proposals, and/or seeks to get much better outcomes, including a reduction in scale and greater mitigation of impacts than currently proposed. Noelle Egan and Debra Downes 19. Mark Allison wrote:
I am writing to you in relation to the proposed music festivals in 2018, notably Lovebox and Field Day, as I believe you are a representative of Brockwell Park and it's users. I would like to add my own objection to the growing number that oppose these new festivals.
I object on the grounds of the size and scale of these festivals that are being proposed. It is expected that the Lovebox capacity alone will be 40,000 a day - the same as previous years when held at Victoria Park. I do not believe a serious and thorough assessment has been made as to whether Brockwell Park can and should hold private, closed off events of that size.
Just with a glance at the comparison between Victoria Park and Brockwell (please see attachment) you can see how much more dominating and how less connected the festival will be at Brockwell Park at that capacity.
I fear that these decisions are being pushed through with little scrutiny based on commercial outcomes with little regard to the park, its users and the local residents. The period of time for set up and taking down is of considerable length, and will fundamentally change the overall make-up of the park during its most popular summer periods.
I also worry about the long term contracts that are being discussed and would not support any long term commitment to any festival without at least one year’s trial period.
Thank you for your time and I hope that what I have had to say is enough to add my name to the ongoing list of opposition when you next meet local councillors to discuss this matter.
Mark Allison.
20. marcus kay wrote:
I am writing as I’m a very concerned local resident to Brockwell park, in regards to the news that 2 very large music festivals are applying to host their festivals this summer (and obviously for future years).
I work in the dance/live music industry , managing large scale London venues for over 15 years , thus have a huge insight into this matter and my Biggest Biggest Concern is centred around the scale of these events that they want to put in Brockwell park . The two festivals are FAR too large for Brockwell Park and the surrounding areas and thus the problems that would arrive if they where to take place .
Recent festivals from Sunfall and Found , I believe are much more suitable as they use much less space, the attendances more manageable for the area as a whole , (I believe 8K to 12K ) and they are in and out of the park in a more suitable timeframe . Now there are issues arising from these but could be rectified with the correct management .
Back to the MAIN ISSUES :
1. Too large for Brockwell Park. 2. Closing off too large an area for too long over the summer period. 3. The weekends of the festivals , the park for non festival customers would be the most unpleasant environment. 4. The fees being offered to the council are laughable (from working in music / venues industry ) especially in relation to the length of the period of the proposed hire . 5. Damage to a community asset , (even with deposit) that is grossly inadequate , the time to repair the damage naturally, means the local community will suffer greatly . 6. Noise. 7. Increased Pollution. 8. Over saturation of people to area attending the events. 9. Disruption to mobile phone coverage . 10. Access issues to the festival from transport (TFL and Network Rail already raised concerns). 11. Antisocial behaviour .
12. Straining policing services and other public services further .
Now further to point 11 , this is a real issue , we are talking attendances up to 45,000 people , my valid concerns relate to :
Urination all over the park (its bad enough at the smaller festivals ) - I’ve fed back to council before with no reply. co2 (balloons) being consumed ! This will be crazy . Rubbish / litter . The park and surrounding areas suffer and never do the festivals clear up enough . Drug taking , Now I can tell you LOVEBOX and Fieldday are festivals where the consumption is rife !
Brockwell Park is so Loved by Locals and those whom live further away , who use it regularly or when possible and a British summer is treasured in a local park and the proposal to close off so much of the park this summer and possibly many to come is an outrageous proposal to everyone who lives in the borough and pays their council tax !
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss any of these raised points with yourself if you would be further interested in my industry experience .
Marcus Kay and on behalf of my family and pets.
21 , Alexander Bolton wrote:
As a resident of , close to the park, I am writing to express my deep concerns about Lambeth’s plans for new festivals in Brockwell Park. Events like LoveBox and Field Day, with 40 thousand people attending each day are wildly inappropriate. According to Lambeth’s own plans, they will see a large chunk of the park fenced off for six weeks in the summer. The loss of amenity and ecological damage will be immense as will the implications for public safety and anti social behaviour. The plans are have united the community (not an easy thing!) in opposition.
I understand the Partners have no role in deciding events in Brockwell Park. However you do have a role in representing park users and groups to the council. I trust you will be making them aware of the strong opposition from park users to these inappropriate and unsuitable plans. Lambeth’s need to find new sources of revenue at the current time is understood. But BP is a highly cultivated ornamental public park, not a public open space like Clapham and Streatham commons. Unlike the Lambeth country show which has something for everyone, Lovebox and the like, have nothing at all do with the community and have no benefit for local residents.
Parts of Brockwell park are still fenced off due to the damage from last summer’s much smaller events. Railings on Dulwich road, broken on the night of the Sunfall festival are still unrepaired several months on. Local businesses we have spoken to are opposed to the new events, as their usual customers won’t come out. TFL and Network Rail have real concerns about how the large number of people will arrive.
I am sure BPCM will reflect the views of park users and user groups and lobby Lambeth council against these plans that will have a seriously negative impact on a much love public amenity.
Alex Bolton
22. Charles Apthorp wrote:
I would wish to object to the proposed festivals in June and July 2018 in Brockwell Park. it is my view wrong to compare the proposed festival to Lambeth Fair as the nature of object of the fair and the festivals are different. The fair is of great benefit to the local community and attendees come and go at different times of the day, which reduces the pressure on the local area and local transport.
A music festival has defined start and close which would mean that attendees are there for the whole period putting far greater stress on the local environment and doing far greater damage to the park, particularly the periods it is out of use, effective a two weeks on each occasion. The park is paid for and maintained by local people as a local area for the enjoyment of a limited area of country side and this use flies in the face of its primary purpose. The noise pollution will be utterly excessive local residents and is not appropriate for local residents. The park will not be in a fit state, taking into account the other local use, for a large part of the summer.
Given MAMA were unsuccessful in their application in Victoria park, I assume another provider is running the festival there. The need for a festival is met by Victoria Park by the other provider, the sole reason for the application is MAMA being outbid re the Victoria Park process. That is not a good reason for setting up an alternative festival so close by, it is purely for the financial benefit of MAMA rather than for the benefit of the local community or the wider community in London.
In my view the paltry amount of income generated is miniscule in comparison to the amount of disruption to the local community, the parks usage and the damage done to the park.
Charles Apthorp
23. Sara Bredemear > wrote:
Please reconsider your plans to restrict access to Brockwell park to paying guests only and to allow the considerable damage that will be caused to the park by Events such as Field Day and Lovebox planned.
While everyone appreciates that you are trying to make money from Lambeth's green spaces, the function of green spaces in a city is for calm and wellbeing. Ticketed events that close part or all of the park for days and weeks at a time are counterproductive for everyone. Even though your bank balance might be a bit healthier, the clean up costs, costs to wellbeing and the increased commercialisation of the local area will be costlier. Sara Bredemear
24. Liz stewart wrote:
As a Lambeth resident who lives on and as a result is directly affected by the events plan I wanted to write to express my concerns over the plans for the large ticketed events in Brockwell park over the summer. I have two main areas of concern;
1. The proposed travel plan There is planned to be up to 40,000 people visiting the Lovebox and Field Day festivals over a 3 day period. The travel plans seem to very much focus on appeasing objectors from Herne Hill by saying that the plan is for Herne Hill station to be exit only and that Brixton will be advertised as the entry and exit point. However, this means that all traffic is being focused on a number of very small, very residential streets. The direct and most obvious route from Brixton route to the park is via Effra road and the entrance on Brixton water lane. These are residential roads with very narrow pathways that are not suited for high volume footfall.
There are a number of key concerns that don’t seem to be being addressed:
Due to the nature of the festivals the traffic will not be a steady flow during the day, there will be peak arrival periods and a single closure time. That is a lot of people, through a very narrow gate along a very narrow path. There is no precedent for managing footfall of that level in this way (Herne hill has never been exit only, other events have not been so large, or entry ticket driven so likely to drive entry at specific times). That can’t be safe?
How are you going to ensure that the residents of roads on the main footfall areas can safely access their properties during peak periods. Let me give you an example. I am going to pick up a toddler from Nursery at 5pm on the Friday. This is going to be peak arrival time for a Friday day festival. I am going to have to go (against the traffic) down Effra road to get my son to my house. I am genuinely concerned that this is not going to be possible. When Citadel was on (half the crowd and traffic not specifically directed to Brixton) it was difficult to get in and out. With the additional people and this plan to force footfall down such narrow paths, I think this is going to cause real problems
How are local residents supposed to access the park during the festival. My local entrance (water lane) is being touted as the main entrance to the festival. I am unsure how I am supposed to be able to access the park during this period. The plans very clearly suggest that this will still be possible, but seems unlikely
2. Availability of the park during the summer months
The plan for this 3 days of festivals and a rather small compensation payment for Lambeth will result in a significant section of the park being closed to the public for six weeks over the summer. I understand that the plan is to do this the week before Lambeth Country fair to reduce the amount of time. Lambeth country fair is a critical community event, but it doesn’t require 5 weeks of preparation and land access. The stages are built and small areas are unavailable for a few days.
This six week period also does not account for the areas that will be cordoned off following any damage to the grass. Victoria park is significantly bigger than Brockwell so the impact of the festival is less. The park is a free public space and Lambeth have been unable to show that the benefits of this event strategy to a few people is proportional to the impact it will have on the wider community.
I look forward to your feedback on my concerns
25.
Sara Atkinson Sorry for my late email addressing this issue. Hope it is in time for your response.
I take particular objection to the Field Day event proposed for Brockwell Park in June.
June is a particularly beautiful time of year, at the height of the growing season for the park's young trees and plants and for this reason, in my view, the worst time for potential damage to the environment around and within the park with limited time for regrowth and regeneration before the school summer holidays and Country Show etc
Its also distressing to think that, if this event is allowed to occur, it could become a regular annual event.
Also travel - Brockwell Park is not particularly well served with transport options (compared to other London parks) with presumably most attendees using the less than reliable weekend train service from HH.
I would therefore strongly hope that this event is NOT recommended.
Views my own. Sara Atkinson Local resident and BLU treasurer
26. Rosalind Glover
Many thanks, for Lambeth's full events programme that you sent subsequently. I must say I am very, very against the proposals for Field Day and Love Box. Brockwell Park was never intended to hold such events. It is a Community Park, not a Show Ground (the Country Show excepted). I know that Lambeth uses the money it makes on these events to pay for (or at least contribute significantly towards) the cost of the annual Country Show. And I accept that Lambeth needs to make savings on its budget. But perhaps the Country Show should be scaled back. In reality it has outgrown itself and has become a massive stage (or two or three) for loud music which excludes many of the older generations. Lambeth must reconsider its approach to a local (ie Lambeth) Country Show and aim it more towards the whole community. The large music stages of the Country Show, plus the other major events planned for the Park is just too much noise, litter, and demolition of the Park for Herne Hill. The Park is not repairing itself - or being properly repaired by Lambeth. This is particularly true when the weather is bad and even the small events can cause major damage to the grass surface. I am thinking of the large transporters used by the funfair, for example. So what hope when there are larger events with more container lorries to be moved within the Park. The events proposals mean that very large areas of the Park are cut off for regular Park users - is this really fair? Should 'pay' events cut off such huge amounts of land that is really meant to be free for local community use. In terms of a percentage of the whole, it is probably quite a small area that is fenced off, but the impression given by tall fencing/barricades is quite the opposite. If the sun is shining the Park is full of local people taking advantage of it. Long may that continue. Do these large events bring in any additional trade to the local traders? Probably not as the visitors to the Park events are likely to either bring their own food and drink or buy it at concessions within the event area. And the local community has to put up with the noise of people coming to and going from the event, plus any litter left in the streets as a result of the revellers comings and goings. I hope this is helpful Ros Glover
27. From: Arnaud Bouille To: abirley < >, fcowell < >, mdeckersdowber
Cc: >,
Dear Anna, Fred and Max,
I have recently received the visit of Elia Carvalho; I am also in receipt of a leaflet dropped in our letter box alerting us of the proposed music festival(s) to be held at Brockwell Park during the summer. I understand that this issue is being debated at the council at the moment.
I am a local resident ( ), already affected by the various events held at the park in the summer - Lambeth County Show, open air music concerts etc.
Brockwell Park is an extremely valued green space for our family and the Herne Hill community – it is the place where we come to have PEACE, relax and be in contact with nature. While we understand the needs and benefits of festivals, we are very concerned with the prospects of other large events being held in the park.
Those that already take place have very significant impacts and have proven to be hugely disturbing, resulting in:
- noise disruption for the preparation and subsequent cleaning, unfolding, etc. of the whole operation
- traffic chaos during the events - no parking spaces anywhere near our homes
- no calm or tranquility since we have loud music all weekend (opening windows in the summer not possible)
- litter and dirty throughout the park / local streets
- unsociable behavior (drunkenness, etc.)
- damage the park, at a cost to the council
- our valued green space been no longer accessible to us!
In summary, a lot of disruption, costs and stress for events which we do not see any value in ourselves. We are very concerned and opposed to the proposed music festivals.
We are also very concerned and sad to realise that these activities are being planned without any consultation with local residents and without a proper assessment of their impact on the local community.
We do thank all the volunteers who have alerted us of this and invited us to make contact with you.
I trust that you will be able to represent out views adequately.
Arnaud Bouille
28. Richard Quinlan wrote:
I am writing to voice my strong objection over the proposal that Brockwell Park host large scale commercial events such as Field Day and Lovebox. These events are too large for the park and locality. To suggest eight events per year in Brockwell Park is also too many. They damage the local environment, park infrastructure, economy and community.
Twice last year a huge metal fence closed off a fair part of the park to residents and park users. The last time was during August when it was up for 10 days for a 10 hour event. The damage to the grass is still evident, immediately afterwards parts looked like a ploughed field. The children’s train line was vandalised. A park bench was ripped up and still remains absent. Numerous HGV’s damaged the pavements. The 5mph limit in the park during these events is a complete joke. People visiting the festival were queuing for hours and having to urinate in the open, all effectively putting the park out of use that afternoon for families and dog walkers. The Police were eventually called for crowd control. What a waste of Police time.
As elected representatives for our community and custodians of our park I trust you will stand up for the interests of local residents and not the hoards of visitors from across London and beyond. In the hope of showing you how strongly local people feel about this issue I have signed this pledge: http://chn.ge/2zZMsPg
In a densely populated urban area such as ours with roads and residences surrounding the park, green space is invaluable. Brockwell Park provides room to breathe, exercise, play and walk dogs especially vital for people who have little or no garden. It is also a habitat for many threatened species. These absurdly over sized commercial events cannot be allowed to exploit the park and drain this precious urban resource. If the 10 day monstrosity of a fence is replicated for even 3 or 4 events in 2018 that will mean a swath of the park out of bounds for over a month.
Furthermore, it has been reported that even the revenue the Council is getting from these events is pitiful. 40,000 and 35,000 footfall expected at each of these events (Field Day and Lovebox). £40,000 and £35,000 into the Council coffers. These tickets are around £55-£65 each yet just £1 from each sale goes to the Council for use of the park to store equipment, hold the event and again store equipment afterwards. If only all LandLords were that cheap! Someone is clearly having a laugh!
Richard Quinlan,
29. Alison Furey < > wrote:
I do not support these concerts taking place in Brockwell Park, particularly as the organisers were in breech of their terms at the last venue ( Victoria Park).
Brockwell Park already has the Lambeth County Fair annually and fireworks displays, which thousands of non- Lambeth residents attend.
Dr Alison Furey
30. Jennifer Desmonde > wrote:
We live in - just a stone's throw from Brockwell Park, and fully endorse the objections raised by other residents regarding the proposed events: Love Box and The Mighty Hoopla as well as several other planned events for 2018. We have experienced first-hand just what an anti-social impact such major events have from past occasions .....being situated along the main road we not only have the noise levels to contend with, but our front garden is used as a dustbin, with endless rubbish i.e. Cans, bottles, fast food containers, wrappers, plastic bags, paper cups etc, just chucked over the hedge.....and what is far more disgusting - and a real health hazard, is our front garden being used as a lavatory by both men and women - yes, we have actually caught people urinating and defacating behind the hedge...... AND we have found on more then one occasion, someone sleeping there all night. We are not a public lavatory, rubbish dump or hotel. The fact that we are in close proximity to the park should not mean that we are expected to endure this, but holding events that can attract tens of thousands of people will inevitably mean such public order offences escalating. Please rethink what an impact this could have. The Bonds
31. Alex Chambers > wrote:
Dear Councillors,
As a regular user of Brockwell Park I wish to register my disappointment that Lambeth council has encouraged the promoters of the Lovebox festival to move to the site. Lovebox is a huge event over three days and will completely overwhelm the park and Herne Hill. With the other paid events - such as Field Day - on the park during the summer this will severely curtail the ability of families in the area to enjoy the area's amenities in the manner we are used to. The park is partially cordoned off for days before, during and after the event.
It is now December and the park is still damaged after the last festival held in August! One park bench which was ripped from the foundations has been only partially repaired as the chair is still missing. There was extensive damage to grass, still not fully grown back despite grass seeds sown.There was extensive damage to foot paths which naturally do not have the foundations to handle regular HGV traffic.
I hope the council has not made its final decision - you are no doubt aware there is growing angst about this in the community. Be aware we will have our say in May.
Alex 32. Jon Hanreck ] Sent: 10 December 2017 23:59 To: > Subject: Lovebox and Field Day Objection
This consultation process has been a murky disgrace. I understand that there may be a new consultation process in the pipeline but getting confirmation of this is proving as impossible as getting clear details about the proposed Major Events in Brockwell Park. I’d therefore like to register my objection before the current consultation (details of which have also been impossible to confirm) runs out.
I went to Field Day last year. As I stepped out of the station I commented to my partner that I was so glad that this was not happening in our area. It was grubby chaos with people urinating everywhere, taking balloons of nitrous oxide, mess everywhere, shouting, all overseen by very young disinterested marshals. Inside the event was a mud bath due to very limited preparation and walkways. Again, I commented that I’d be horribly upset if this were the way my local park were treated. I’m so disappointed to discover that many of our councillors – who have possibly never attended one of these events - seem to think that their constituents deserve to have their neighbourhoods treated in this way. As everyone will know, the area chosen for the events has significant drainage issues.
The events are too large: too many people and too much area of the park. Victoria Park is not far off twice the size of Brockwell and the impact had on the park and nearby residents has been huge. Huge areas will be either fenced or operating construction site for as much as six weeks at a time when the park is at its busiest. If the weather is wet or particularly dry during the set up periods and during the events themselves the damage to the grass will extend the timescale of the impact.
Estimates of how much of the park will be enclosed take no account of areas outside the fencing which will inevitably be unusable due to the festival (e.g. between the Brixton Water Lane entrance and the perimeter). Neither do they take into account areas rendered fairly useless by the event, such as the corridors between the festival site fence and Norwood Road and Dulwich Road. Using these areas would be akin to picnicking on a traffic roundabout. Neither does it take into account areas of the park with limited public access such as the community gardens, tennis courts, BMX track, etc…
The revised noise levels (for major events) are too high. For context, a 10dB increase is roughly a doubling of noise intensity. Although they were just about tolerable for a period of a couple of hours for the fireworks, these are proposed roughly 10hrs a day for six days. 75dB is to be measured at the rear of homes. 75dB is the same as putting a stereo on loud in every room of your home. Except that you cannot control what you listen to or turn it off.
Field Day has offered to provide a phone number so that residents can call a clean-up team when people urinate on their property or in their streets. This is missing the point. This is my home and neighbourhood. I don’t want to host an event which turns our homes into a toilet. If they are unable to control this kind of behaviour then the event is too large.
Here’s an article quoting Labour councillors complaining about the crime and disruption which accompanies Lovebox in Victoria Park and which ultimately led to their contract ending a year early. What councillor would wish to risk this being imposed upon their constituents?
It has been suggested by some councillors that these huge events will ease existing disruption by replacing more frequent smaller events, such as the fun fair and circus. Firstly, no limit to smaller events has been publicly proposed – limits in the events strategy only apply to major events (20K+ attended). In any case the smaller events are more successfully accommodated by the park so that they do not impact significantly on the park’s use (I don’t include amongst these Found or Sunfall). This will be evident from the very small number of complaints against them.
There are other sources of income in the park which should be prioritising for income first. E.g. the main hall and attached walled works area for private events. Brixton East charges £5,000 bare hire for private events such as weddings. 2-3 of these a week would generate a huge income and cause only very minimal disruption.
Apparently this is all required to pay a shortfall for the Country Show. If people want the show, add £1 to council tax rather than trash one of Lambeth’s finest facilities.