Key Points
- Lambeth Council spent £187,724 on legal cases related to Brockwell Park events in 2025, as revealed by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from The Times.
- The expenditure includes two court-mandated payments of £35,000 each to Protect Brockwell Park, the campaign group led by Rebekah Shaman.
- In May 2025, Lambeth Council lost a High Court challenge brought by residents over the use of ‘permitted development’ rules to authorise large-scale summer music festivals in Brockwell Park, bypassing full planning processes.
- The Honourable Mr Justice Mould ruled the council’s decision to grant a Lawful Development Certificate as “irrational,” siding with campaigners who argued events exceeded the 28-day legal limit, including setup and de-rigging periods.
- The Lambeth Country Show, the only major free event in the Brockwell Live programme, was cancelled for 2026, expected to save the council more than £1 million amid financial pressures.
- Local residents expressed fury and disappointment, labelling the cancellation “outrageous” and “disgraceful.”
- Festivals affected include Wide Awake and others in the Brockwell Live series, sparking ongoing community backlash over park usage.
Lambeth (Evening Standard) January 17, 2026 – Lambeth Council has ignited public fury after spending nearly £200,000 on legal battles to defend music festivals in Brockwell Park, figures from a Freedom of Information request show. The council lost a pivotal High Court case in May 2025 against residents led by Rebekah Shaman of Protect Brockwell Park, who challenged the use of ‘permitted development’ rules allowing events without full planning approval. This expenditure, totalling £187,724 for 2025, includes substantial court-ordered costs, exacerbating tensions as the authority cancelled the cherished free Lambeth Country Show for 2026 to offset financial strains.
What Triggered the High Court Challenge Against Lambeth Council?
The legal dispute originated from Lambeth Council’s reliance on ‘permitted development’ provisions under planning law, which permit temporary uses like festivals for up to 28 days annually without requiring full planning permission. Campaigners, spearheaded by Rebekah Shaman of Protect Brockwell Park, contended that the council acted improperly by granting a Lawful Development Certificate for events in Brockwell Park. As detailed in coverage by the Evening Standard, the challenge focused on how setup, de-rigging, and the festivals themselves allegedly exceeded this limit, disrupting the green space’s primary recreational purpose.
In a landmark ruling in May 2025, the Honourable Mr Justice Mould declared the council’s decision “irrational.” He sided decisively with the residents, quashing the certificate and highlighting flaws in the authority’s interpretation of the rules. This outcome forced Lambeth Council to contest the case vigorously, contributing to the hefty legal bill uncovered later via FOI.
How Much Did Lambeth Council Spend on Brockwell Park Legal Fights?
A Freedom of Information request submitted by The Times has laid bare the full financial toll, revealing Lambeth Council expended £187,724 on legal cases tied to Brockwell Park events throughout 2025. This figure encompasses fees for defending the High Court challenge and related proceedings. Notably, it includes two separate payments of £35,000 each, mandated by the court to Protect Brockwell Park as costs awarded to the victorious campaigners.
As reported by The Times, these costs represent a significant outlay for a Labour-run council already grappling with budget constraints. The FOI response, obtained amid ongoing scrutiny of council spending, underscores the protracted nature of the dispute, with legal expenses accruing across multiple hearings and preparations.
Why Was the Lambeth Country Show Cancelled?
Financial pressures mounted after the court defeat prompted Lambeth Council to axe the Lambeth Country Show, the sole major free event within the Brockwell Live programme. According to Evening Standard reporting, the cancellation for 2026 is projected to save the authority more than £1 million, redirecting funds strained by legal battles and operational demands.
The Country Show, a longstanding community fixture featuring agricultural displays, family entertainment, and local produce, drew thousands annually to Brockwell Park. Its removal has amplified resident discontent, with many viewing it as a disproportionate sacrifice to prioritise commercial festivals like Wide Awake.
What Are Residents Saying About the Council’s Decisions?
Local backlash has been swift and vocal, with residents decrying the council’s priorities. Descriptions of the Country Show cancellation as “outrageous” and “disgraceful” echo across community forums and social media, as noted in Evening Standard coverage. Protect Brockwell Park’s Rebekah Shaman has been at the forefront, framing the legal victory as a defence of public green space against over-commercialisation.
Councillors and festival supporters, however, argue the events boost the local economy and cultural vibrancy. Lambeth Council has not issued a direct comment on the FOI figures in available reports, but prior statements defended the festivals’ value. Tension persists, with campaigners vowing to monitor future planning attempts.
Who Leads Protect Brockwell Park and What Are Their Goals?
Rebekah Shaman heads Protect Brockwell Park, the resident group central to the High Court win. Their campaign emphasises preserving Brockwell Park as a vital lung for south London communities, arguing against its transformation into a festival venue. Shaman’s leadership secured the “irrational” ruling from Mr Justice Mould, validating claims of planning impropriety.
The group’s advocacy extends to pushing for stricter oversight on temporary events, ensuring compliance with the 28-day limit. As attributed in Evening Standard articles, Shaman has consistently highlighted environmental damage from repeated setups.
What Role Did ‘Permitted Development’ Rules Play?
‘Permitted development’ rights allow landowners, including councils, to host temporary events without planning applications if under 28 days per year. Lambeth applied this to Brockwell Live festivals, but campaigners successfully proved exceedance when including ancillary activities. The High Court judgment scrutinised this interpretation, deeming the council’s certificate issuance flawed.
This case sets a precedent for other parks nationwide, potentially curbing similar uses. The Times FOI exposé ties directly back to these rules, as legal defences centred on upholding the council’s stance.
How Has This Affected Brockwell Live Festivals?
The Brockwell Live series, encompassing Wide Awake and others, faced immediate uncertainty post-ruling. While some 2025 events proceeded under interim arrangements, the legal shadow looms over 2026 planning. Lambeth’s £187,724 spend reflects efforts to salvage the programme, yet the Country Show’s axing signals belt-tightening.
Organisers tout economic benefits, including tourism and jobs, but residents prioritise park access. No full cancellation of paid festivals has occurred, though future permissions now demand rigorous scrutiny.
What Financial Pressures Face Lambeth Council?
Beyond the £187,724 legal hit, Lambeth grapples with broader fiscal woes. Cancelling the Country Show yields over £1 million in savings, per council estimates reported by the Evening Standard. This move underscores trade-offs: free community events versus revenue-generating festivals.
The FOI, procured by The Times, arrives amid national scrutiny of local authority spending. Lambeth’s decision to fight the case, rather than concede early, has drawn criticism for escalating costs borne by taxpayers.
Why Is Brockwell Park Central to This Dispute?
Brockwell Park, a 128-acre green haven in Herne Hill, serves over 300,000 south Londoners annually. Its dual role as recreational space and event venue fuels conflict. Festivals bring crowds and revenue but cause disruption, including noise, traffic, and grass damage.
Protect Brockwell Park views the park’s primacy as non-negotiable. The High Court loss reinforces judicial support for resident concerns over council overreach.
What Happens Next for Festivals and the Park?
With the Country Show gone and legal costs exposed, Lambeth Council faces pressure to rethink Brockwell Live. Campaigners like Rebekah Shaman anticipate stricter planning for 2026 events. Residents demand transparency on future budgets and permissions.
As The Times and Evening Standard coverage indicates, this saga highlights tensions between cultural programming and green space preservation. Public fury persists, with calls for accountability on the £200,000-plus spend. Lambeth’s response remains pending, but the inverted pyramid of priorities—legal defence over free events—has crystallised community divides.
