Richmond Council is proposing sweeping changes to how events are managed across all its parks, commons and open spaces – including Richmond Park – with new size classifications, frequency limits and enhanced community protections that mark a significant departure from the borough’s previous hands-off approach.
The draft policy, currently out for public consultation until 5 October, would replace Richmond’s 2012 framework with a comprehensive system designed to balance increased event access with stronger environmental and community safeguards.
For the first time, Richmond would introduce clear numerical limits on event sizes across all its green spaces:
- Small events: up to 499 people
- Medium events: 500-4,999 people
- Large events: 5,000-9,999 people
- Major events: 10,000+ people (a new category)
The policy also introduces frequency caps designed to prevent overuse. Large events would be limited to 6 event days per site every six months, while major events would be capped at 4 days. No large or major events could take place on consecutive weekends unless they demonstrably reduce overall impact.
The new framework introduces a 10pm curfew for unlicensed events and bans events from ecologically sensitive areas. Commercial organisers would be required to deliver social value, while all ticketed events must provide discounted access for eligible residents.
Stark Contrast with Neighboring Wandsworth
The Richmond approach stands in marked contrast to Wandsworth Council’s controversial events policy, which was pushed through in July despite significant community opposition.
Wandsworth centralised decision-making power, removing local advisory groups from meaningful input and creating inconsistent protections between different commons. The policy allows events of up to 10,000 people and is projected to generate £1 million annually, but faced accusations of ignoring 862 consultation responses.
Where Wandsworth moved quickly to maximize commercial revenue, Richmond is taking time for comprehensive consultation. Wandsworth officials avoided discussing revenue targets publicly, while Richmond focuses primarily on community benefits and environmental protection.
Richmond is banning consecutive weekend events whereas Wandsworth explicitly allowed for it; Richmond has introduced a 10pm curfew whereas Wandsworth rewrote the rules to allow for later events; Richmond has chosen to protect sports whereas Wandsworth has created workarounds; and Richmond has banned events from ecologically sensitive areas whereas Wandsworth has chosen to give politicians the ability to override any protections.
Same Management, Different Approach
Remarkably, both councils are run by the same executive staff through shared services arrangements, highlighting how the approach to identical challenges can vary dramatically based on political leadership.
Richmond is expanding community engagement “beyond Friends groups or management advisory committees to the wider community,” while Wandsworth sidelined advisory groups so they are only consulted after events are approved. Richmond has committed to updating its impact assessment based on feedback – something Wandsworth notably failed to do.
The contrast reflects different political control: the Liberal Democrat-run Richmond emphasises community engagement and environmental protection, while Labour-controlled Wandsworth has pursued a commercially aggressive strategy similar to other Labour councils like Lambeth.
Enhanced Protections and Requirements
Richmond’s policy mandates comprehensive sustainability measures including waste reduction, promoting public transport, and cutting carbon emissions. Weekend events would be limited to those open to the general public, ensuring weekends remain primarily for public enjoyment.
Sport and physical activity events would be exempt from frequency limits, recognising their lower environmental impact and community benefit.
The council has conducted a detailed Equality Impact Assessment examining effects on different groups, identifying both increased cultural access benefits and potential concerns about temporary loss of green space access.
Community Focus
“Everyone is encouraged to take part in the consultation, to help shape how these events are delivered,” said Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee.
Richmond appears to be learning from Wandsworth’s experience, adopting similar structural elements like size limits while avoiding the governance pitfalls that generated significant community backlash in the neighbouring borough.
Implementation and Next Steps
Richmond’s consultation runs until October 5th, with the final policy expected later this year. The policy would apply uniformly across all Richmond’s green spaces, ensuring consistent standards rather than the ad-hoc site-specific rules that have proved controversial in Wandsworth.
Whether Richmond’s consultative approach can achieve necessary revenue generation while maintaining community support remains to be seen, but early signs suggest the borough is prioritising long-term community buy-in over short-term commercial gains.
The contrast between the two neighbouring councils may prove instructive for other London boroughs grappling with similar pressures around the use of public green spaces.
Richmond’s consultation runs until Sunday, October 5th. Details available at richmond.gov.uk.
