Victoria Park festivals face six-year planning decision

Tower Hamlets Council is considering a planning application from promoter AEG Presents that would allow the use of Victoria Park for up to 75 days annually for the next six years. The application covers the use of the park for music festivals, including All Points East and Lido festivals, and associated setup and breakdown periods.

Neighbouring Council Raises No Objection

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Despite local opposition, Hackney Council, which borders Victoria Park, has informed Tower Hamlets Council that it has "no objection" to the promoter's plans. The response was made public on Tower Hamlets Council’s planning website on 28 October. Previously, organisers did not seek planning permission for temporary uses of land up to 28 days, but a High Court ruling clarified that setup and breakdown days must be included.

Local Opposition to Park Closures

The Victoria Park Community Association has voiced concerns about the extent of the park that would be occupied. Mary Pimm, chair of the association, told BBC Radio 2 that the festivals "block off a huge part of the park that people can’t use." This sentiment was echoed by Uma Kumaran, the Labour MP for Stratford and Bow, who stated that 75 days would be "too much time" for the park to be unavailable during summer holidays. Sports England and Historic England also raised concerns during the council's consultation.

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AEG Presents has stated that the application "does not constitute an intensification" of its previous use of the park. The promoter also indicated there would be at least a 28-day break between the All Points East and Lido festivals, during which the park would be returned to public use. The All Points East festival took place between 21 and 30 August this year, featuring six separate events.

Next Steps

Tower Hamlets Council has not yet announced a decision on the planning application. Residents can view the application details on the Tower Hamlets Council planning portal and submit comments.