Labour council accused of turning famous UK park into a 'prison camp'

A beloved British has accused a council of turning a park into a "prison camp". Sir Mark Rylance has joined calls to protect Brockwell Park in Lambeth, south London, which hosts festivals every year under the Brockwell Live banner.

Campaigners say festivalgoers cause long-term damage to the park and its wildlife, arguing festivals block off "huge areas of the park for weeks at a time", causing damage to trees, disturbing wildlife and "compacting the soil". Sir Mark, who lives in the area, said he "fully support[s]" the effort, continuing to say the festival "destroys the park" and "turns it into a prison camp".

Lambeth Council, which has been run by Labour since 2006, organises the festival and runs the park year round.

The star of Wolf Hall and The BFG told The Times: "Brockwell Park is a place for people and nature. It is essential to many people's mental health, to our joy, our healing grief. It was a gift to the local community and is held in trust for us by Lambeth. The imposition of high steel walls for Brockwell Live every summer destroys the park for weeks and harms the grass, trees and plant life for months - if not forever. It turns it into a prison camp."

He added: "I fully support this campaign to legally challenge our Lambeth governors and make a new arrangement for our park. Enough is enough. Stop the walls."

As part of Brockwell Live 2025 - which is taking place on May 28 - events include Wide Awake, featuring Belfast rap group Kneecap and Dublin singer CMAT.

Also being staged are Field Day, known for its "daring, eclectic lineups that bring together rising talent and iconic headliners", and Cross The Tracks, Brixton's "Soul, Jazz and Funk Feast".

Residents have now begun a legal challenge to the council's decision to allow the festival to go ahead without planning permission.

A crowdfunding venture called "Protect Brockwell Park" has raised more than £31,000 and has started judicial review proceedings in the High Court to challenge the decision to allow Brockwell Live to proceed.

The online fundraising page said: "We have repeatedly raised our concerns with Lambeth Council, but our voices have fallen on deaf ears.

"Lambeth has long ignored petitions that have garnered thousands of signatures, local residents' distress, and the adverse ecological impact on the park over the years.

"The Council has also failed to properly follow correct procedures and properly consult with local residents."

As the park is only held by Lambeth Council in trust, the authority is not allowed to make a profit on the festival and can only cover its costs. Brockwell Park spans over 125 acres in Herne Hill, south London, with over four million annual visits.

It is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, with mature trees including ancient oaks and a number of lakes.

Its heritage value is also recognised by The National Heritage List for England, with its clocktower, water garden, walled garden and other monuments.

Brockwell Lido is located in the north of the park, an open-air swimming pool with a Grade II listed art deco building also on site.

Previous performers in the park include Elvis Costello, who headlined the 1978 Rock Against Racism event, Boy George and Yoko Ono.

Lambeth Council told The Times it invests £500,000 a year in maintaining the park.

It continued: "Events run for a short period before summer and generate significant cultural opportunities and entertainment for younger people across the borough. Events also support businesses in the area, boosting our local economy and providing jobs and income for residents.

The council claimed there was "no ecological damage caused" according to an independent assessment of the festival, though event revenue helped "put money into diversity projects in other areas of the park, with at least £20,000 invested in this way last year".

It added that though it does not make a profit, the events helped to fund the free Lambeth Country Show festival, saving it £700,000 in operational costs last year, and gaining £150,000 of investment in the park and community projects.

The Council said: "We are committed to addressing all potential issues promptly and effectively, whilst ensuring Lambeth's residents continue to have access to a diverse and meaningful range of events."