Wandsworth Council has formally opened a public consultation on its new draft Open Spaces Events Policy, a set of proposed rules that would govern how the borough’s beloved parks and commons are used for public and private events.
Despite widespread criticism from residents, community groups, and opposition councillors, the version now released [pdf] for public comment remains unchanged from the original proposals brought forward earlier this year.
The proposed changes would dramatically loosen long-standing protections on noise, usage frequency, and environmental safeguarding in open spaces like Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common, and King George’s Park.
Critics argue that it would pave the way for large-scale commercial festivals — similar to those seen in neighbouring boroughs — bringing noise, crowding, damage to green space, and diminished access for local residents.
What’s changing — and why it’s alarming residents
The new policy proposes a range of sweeping changes, which opponents say would transform the role of parks from community green spaces into entertainment venues. Among the most contentious proposals:
- Events on Grass in Winter: The current policy prohibits events on grass during wetter months to protect grounds. The new policy would allow winter events from 30 September to 1 April, assessed case-by-case — raising fears of long-term turf damage and unusable pitches — as happened last year when Zippos Circus was banned over damage to Wandsworth Common.
- Consecutive Weekend Events: Previously discouraged, the new rules would permit consecutive weekend events in the same park — potentially denying residents quiet access to their local open space for weeks at a time.
- Private Weekend Events: The policy now permits private, ticketed events in parks during weekends, provided they’re in so-called “non-public” areas — a shift that opponents argue could reduce inclusivity and limit informal community use.
- Relaxed Noise Controls: The clear, enforceable decibel limit (75 dB at 10m) in the old policy has been removed. In its place is a “best practice” approach based on proximity to homes — a vaguer system that critics say will be harder to enforce and more prone to disturbance.
- Extended Hours: While the 10pm curfew remains the norm, the new policy would allow for later events on special occasions, such as New Year’s Eve — a move some worry could become more common over time.
- Power Shift to Officers: The policy hands more discretion to council officers to make decisions on “non-material” changes to event plans without the need for public consultation or elected member oversight — fuelling concerns about reduced transparency.
Critics say it’s about money — not community
Though the council insists the changes are designed to make events more inclusive and better regulated, many residents and councillors suspect a different motive: generating revenue.
The policy repeatedly references the need for events to demonstrate “social value” and financial contribution, and it encourages organisers to offer discounted tickets for low-income residents — indicating an appetite for larger, more lucrative events.
The consultation comes at a time when Wandsworth Council is facing mounting scrutiny over its financial management and debt strategy. The borough is contending with a multi-million-pound funding gap and has committed to major long-term borrowing—including £513 million borrowed last year alone, and a lifetime debt repayment cost forecast at £1.5 billion.
Last month, Putney.news revealed that Wandsworth faces a “ticking timebomb” of new debt, with concerns that commercial ventures—such as an expanded events programme in parks—may be part of a wider effort to raise revenue without formally increasing council tax or making politically sensitive cuts.
Compounding these pressures, the council was recently accused of withholding financial risk assessments from public scrutiny, and of mishandling key liabilities. As we reported at the time, councillors were warned of a £20 million shortfall in the borough’s pension fund, while veteran independent councillor Malcolm Grimston called the council’s repeated claims of a “council tax freeze” “deliberately misleading,” pointing to stealth rises in service charges and fees.
Lessons from Lambeth: what happens when you open the gates
Neighbouring Lambeth offers a cautionary tale. Its Clapham Common has hosted several large-scale events, including music festivals, food fairs, and ticketed pop-ups. While popular with attendees, these events have long drawn criticism from nearby residents for unbearable noise levels, trampled and unusable green space, litter, public urination, and anti-social behaviour, and restricted access to the common for weeks at a time.
Local forums are filled with complaints dating back years, and repeated petitions have been filed to limit festival activity on Clapham Common.
“Let’s try to stop the nuisance of SW4 happening in London with thousands of drug-taking, vomiting, noisy people and general anti-social behaviour.” – Response to SW4 festival
“I can feel my back garden wall vibrating and the noise at the back of my house is just awful.” – Response to Weekender festival
“We can’t really hear the music so much as just the bass, a low loud thumping which makes it quite difficult to relax!” – Resident response
What’s more, it was only a few years ago that Wandsworth Council itself formally objected to Lambeth’s plans to host more music festivals on Clapham Common, citing a significant increase in noise complaints, noting that they had “increased by 600%” compared to the previous year.
Lessons from Merton
It’s not just Lambeth either. Residents in Merton have raised repeated concerns over large-scale events in local parks, especially in Morden Park, since its events policy was loosened. In 2018, a festival triggered more than 400 noise complaints, despite organisers staying within permitted limits. Families reported being disturbed by loud music and explicit language, while others raised alarms over littering and the park’s impact from heavy use. In a subsequent licensing review, the council acknowledged “noise nuisance” and other public concerns, even as it approved further events.
More recently, Merton Council proposed a permanent premises licence for Morden Park—allowing alcohol, live music, and film events throughout the year—without requiring case-by-case consultation. Campaigners, including Merton Friends of the Earth, warned that the move could strip residents of their right to object and expose the park to commercial overuse. A petition to stop the licence described it as a “public nuisance risk” and called on the council to preserve public input in future decisions and received over 500 signatures.
Consultation now open — but residents question whether it is genuine
The public consultation, launched via the council’s website, gives residents until 13 May – just over a month – to review the draft and submit feedback. But given that no changes have been made since the initial backlash earlier this year, many residents are asking: Is the consultation genuine, or just a box-ticking exercise?
Some fear the council is simply going through the motions, with the major decisions already made behind closed doors. In recent months, the council has come under increasing fire for ignoring or dismissing community concerns, even breaking its own policies while doing so.
How to make your voice heard
Residents can review the full draft policy and the accompanying equality impact assessment at: Wandsworth Council Draft Events Policy Consultation.
Submit feedback before May 13, 2025, using the council’s “Have Your Say” portal:
You can also email comments directly to: consult@wandsworth.gov.uk
One thing is clear: the future of Wandsworth’s parks is up for grabs — and residents have a short window to protect the green spaces that define their borough.
