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What are public parks for? Inside the debate sparked by London festival row

Differing interpretations of public access rights are at heart of Brockwell case pitting campaign group against festival fans

The Brockwell Park row is taking place against a backdrop of rising costs for staging festivals, which has led to a record 72 events being postponed, canceled or having folded in 2024 as ticket prices soared. The issue of who uses public spaces and for how long is not limited to the capital: in Liverpool there is a debate about Radio 1’s Big Weekend taking over Sefton Park in the city this summer. Jen Hawkins: ‘I think this last year was a tipping point when the ground was completely trashed for the whole of spring and summer.’ Photograph: David Levene/The GuardianAt present all the scheduled events will take place in Brockwell Park, after the council submitted a new application, but more legal challenges could emerge as the summer progresses.

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