Published Article

HeadlineSummer nights or summer frights? Why some Londoners worry about this year’s festival season

Short HeadlineSummer nights or summer frights?

StandfirstTower Hamlets residents are concerned that an application to use Victoria Park for 75 days during All Points East and LIDO festivals could disrupt their summers

Tower Hamlets residents are concerned about the impact summer festivals could have on Victoria Park.

The Park is home to popular festivals All Points East and LIDO which attract around 85,000 music lovers over the summer months.

While the festivals only take place across 11 days, organisers AEG Presents are planning to seek permission for temporary use of the Park for 75 days.

They say this is due set up and take-down times.

However, residents and park-users worry this will disrupt their use of the Grade II listed park during the summer. A petition opposing use of the Park for festivals has reached over 1,900 signatures.

AEG are seeking public feedback on their proposals, and the deadline to submit this is today.

What do the proposals say?

According to the public consultation documents, AEG plans to submit a formal planning application to Tower Hamlets Council for the temporary use of Victoria Park “for commercial/festival events […] for a temporary use of 6 years”.

The festivals’ footprints will remain the same as in previous years, alongside the south-eastern boundary of the park.

The number of major events days and community days will also reflect previous years, at 11 and 8 respectively.

The formal planning permission is necessary as temporary use of public places is only allowed for 28 days without it.  AEG says the two festivals alongside the ‘In the Neighbourhood’ events planned for this year will exceed this restriction.

‘In the Neighbourhood’ events refer to a “free community programme” which, AEG says, “opens the festival site to the public” and “serves as an inclusive bridge between major concerts, ensuring the local community can enjoy high-quality cultural experiences without a ticket”.

What do the public think?

Tower Hamlets residents and park-goers have raised concerns about noise, littering and disruption to their ability to use the park.

While some locals enjoy having a festival on their doorstep, they say this comes at a cost.

The petition is calling on the council to reduce the number of major events days at Victoria Park. Some signatories claim: “this isn’t fair to local residents, causes damage to a green area and upset to pets and wildlife.”

Others say the fencing is an eyesore, while many raised concerns about noise levels.

For Dan Pennington, who owns business Eastside Outdoor Fitness in Victoria Park, the festivals are a source of frustration for both him and his customers.

“They don’t mind that there’s a concert, I think what they don’t like is that there’s continuous, non-stop concerts.”

While he appreciates the community events the festivals put on, he says he’d see more benefit from it if he and other local business owners were asked to get involved.

He explains: “I would be very happy to be more involved with stuff like that, but it just seems like it’s closed off.”

A spokesperson for AEG said: “We have a great working relationship with LBTH, focussed on delivering world-class shows in Victoria Park while maintaining access to the space, minimising disruption to residents and raising vital funds for this fantastic green space.”

“We work year-round alongside local stakeholders and the local communities who are consulted through the planning stages and the events,” they continued.

Minimising environmental impact

Victoria Park holds Green Flag and Green Heritage awards, which sets standards for good management and best practice in public green spaces.

Residents have said the festivals damage the park’s grass and “leave behind piles of rubbish”.

Addressing these concerns, a spokesperson for AEG said: “We have a leave no trace policy when it comes to litter post the event and noise levels are strictly monitored. Each year post the event we make any restorations needed to Victoria Park as quickly as possible.”

A consultant who is working with AEG to protect the Park’s wildlife and biodiversity told City News: “Even though the festival itself might have short term impacts such as trampling, we have to make sure that not only are these impacts compensated and mitigated at the time […] we also then have to bring back a ten per cent gain.”

They explained that measures such as scrub planting, introducing dead wood, and wildlife boxes will “make sure that the festival actually brings a net gain to the whole park”.

Involvement in Tower Hamlets

The festivals attract popular artists, with this year’s headliners including Lorde, CMAT, and Twenty One Pilots.

AEG say they’re committed to supporting the local area. Last year, the festivals invested around £5.9 million into Tower Hamlets.

A spokesperson said: “With access to the site for the public during the week and free family activities we also provide opportunities for local business and students at our events and deliver pioneering sustainability policies too.”

“We are proud to add value to the park and the area,” they continued.

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: “AEG have engaged with the council’s planning department and separately with the arts, parks and events team in connection with seeking planning consent regarding the existing programme of events.”

“The number of event days that can take place in any given year will be in line with the council’s Victoria Park Major Events Policy and subject to agreement with the council for use of the land,” they continued.