Victoria Park Festival Expansion Sparks Debate Among East London Residents
East London residents are deeply divided over ambitious proposals that would see Victoria Park occupied for up to 75 days each summer by festival organizers. While many acknowledge the economic benefits these events bring, significant concerns have emerged regarding accessibility issues, long-term environmental damage, and the visual impact of prolonged fencing.
Current Situation and Proposed Changes
AEG Presents, the organization behind popular events like All Points East and LIDO Festival, has operated in Victoria Park for eight years under existing planning permission that allows 28 days of annual use. The group now seeks a six-year temporary permission that would expand their access to 75 days yearly, including setup and breakdown periods. This substantial increase aims to enable greater investment in the site and create more sustainable event operations.
The proposal comes as organizers state that "LIDO and All Points East festivals together with the associated ‘In the Neighbourhood’ events as planned for 2026, will require more than 28 days." While major event days would remain at 11 days with 8 community days, the overall park occupation period would nearly triple under the new plan.
Resident Concerns: Accessibility and Environmental Impact
Chris Kimberley, a 65-year-old daily park user, highlighted significant accessibility challenges created by festival fencing. "The festivals take up half the park," he explained. "Even though they leave a pathway to get through, going all the way around is tough. For people that can't walk, they are forced to have to go all the way around once the fences are up. It means you don't see anyone."
Environmental concerns emerged as another major theme among residents. Lisa Bailey, 33, noted that "the grass gets destroyed" during festival periods, while Clare Karu questioned "what would be the impact on the grass over that period of time?" Many residents expressed understanding of the logistical benefits of extended setup periods but argued that 75 days represents excessive disruption during peak summer months when park usage is highest.
Balancing Economic Benefits with Community Needs
Despite these concerns, residents generally acknowledged the positive economic impact festivals bring to the area. Jen Bas commented that "the festival brings huge amounts of money," while Lisa Bailey noted that "All Points East is great for local businesses." This creates a complex balancing act between economic benefits and community access to public green space.
Clare Karu captured this tension perfectly: "I like the fact the park is being used for something but to block it out for the whole of the summer period, when locals would use it, that's wrong. The event does bring a lot of money to the local area as much as it does for the traders inside."
Community Consultation and Council Response
AEG Presents recently conducted a community consultation to gather feedback before submitting formal planning applications. The consultation aimed to identify "support/objection from the community and stakeholders" and address any planning concerns raised by residents.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson clarified the regulatory framework: "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."
Looking Ahead: Negotiation and Compromise
Many residents suggested negotiation as the path forward. Clare Karu proposed that organizers should "try negotiate the time that they are using the park," while her friend added "I think they should negotiate the time period though. I get their point logistically but it's just too long."
The debate reflects broader tensions in urban planning between commercial event hosting and public space preservation. As East London continues to evolve, Victoria Park serves as a microcosm of the challenges cities face in balancing economic development with community needs and environmental sustainability.
