Updated events policy helps ensure parks are for everyone

It builds on the draft version published earlier this year, which was shaped based on what residents had already told us through community feedback and our London Borough of Culture bid.

Following feedback from over 800 residents, including through an online consultation, focus groups, and discussions with Friends of Parks groups and Management Advisory Committees, the revised policy was approved by Wandsworth’s Cabinet earlier this week (14 July).

Wandsworth is proud to host a wide variety of events in the borough, from the spectacular annual Battersea Park Fireworks to smaller charity and community events. Most of these take place in Battersea Park, which is governed by a separate events policy.

This updated policy helps set the framework for even more inclusive, sustainable, and imaginative events in every corner of the borough, from Roehampton to Battersea, Tooting to Putney, during Welcome to Wandsworth and beyond.

It aims to allow for events such as pop-up theatres, outdoor film screenings, community celebrations, and neighbourhood festivals, all showcasing the creativity and diversity that make Wandsworth a great place to live, work and visit.

However, it doesn't just celebrate what’s possible, it also protects what matters. Our parks are for everyone, and we value them as places for relaxation, recreation, sport, play, connecting with nature, havens for biodiversity, and for cultural events. That’s why the updated policy includes safeguards to ensure all events are sustainable, inclusive, and well managed to minimise any disruption.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. As a listening Council, your opinion matters and we've carefully reviewed every response to ensure this policy reflects a wide range of views.

“Our London Borough of Culture programme has already shown the power of community and cultural events to bring people together, boost wellbeing and spread joy.

“Events in our fantastic green spaces play an important role in achieving this, and we want everyone across the borough, not just around Battersea, to experience that magic.

“However, we recognise there is an important balance to strike. This new policy isn’t about paving the way for large-scale festivals, our parks are for all, and we will continue to listen to residents to ensure we are getting this balance right.”

Main changes

The changes made since the draft version respond directly to residents’ views and aim to strike a balance between facilitating vibrant community events that everyone across the borough can enjoy, while protecting our award-winning green spaces.

The final policy now:

• Makes it clearer that no events over 10,000 attendees will be permitted in any green spaces other than Battersea Park
• States that no event may occupy an entire park or open space, an area must always remain accessible to the public
• Prohibits any events with more than 2,499 attendees on Wandsworth Common
• Strengthens the involvement of tree and ecology experts in assessing event sites before and after events
• Ensures that the terms and conditions of hire are updated regularly to reflect regularly evolving sustainable event management requirements
• Increases democratic oversight by requiring officers to consult with the relevant Cabinet Member before taking certain decisions under the policy
• Retains the policy clause in the 2014 policy that limits the use of sports pitches for events
• Requires event organisers to minimise the time it takes them to build and remove event infrastructure
• Clarifies that events must also meet relevant licensing, planning and other statutory permissions that may be required for events in green spaces

The events policy also maintains several other key principles to safeguard our parks, commons and green spaces. This includes caps on the number and size of events allowed each year. While these caps offer more flexibility than is currently available, these limits are still unlikely to be met, as is the case with the current policy.

Read the events policy and the full list of changes made following the consultation.

Investment in our parks

Wandsworth is proud to host some of the best parks, commons and open spaces in London, with 12 of our parks having a prestigious Green Flag award, the borough’s best result ever and a powerful recognition of the care and investment going into our green spaces.

We are investing in our parks as part of our commitment to making Wandsworth a more compassionate place, making parks, open spaces and commons more accessible to everyone. Whether through unveiling a brand-new, modern and inclusive playground at the much-loved Wandsworth Park, or supporting and part-funding the creation of a new statue in Coronation Gardens in Southfields, we are working hard to improve our green spaces for all.

We are also proud to have supported the opening of Springfield Park, a new 32-acre public park being developed in partnership with the NHS in Tooting and the largest park to open in London since the 2012 Olympics.

In addition, we have secured planning permission for a new pocket park on Swaffield Road and will be starting construction later in the year. The park will include new play equipment, sensory planting, and biodiversity improvements.

See the full list of our cherished parks, commons and open spaces and discover the unique features that make them so special.