**Scrutiny Grows Over Blackweir Live Event as High Court Ruling Sparks Debate in Cardiff**
A heated debate has erupted in Cardiff over whether the large-scale Blackweir Live music event, hosted in Bute Park, should ever have been permitted in its current form. The controversy follows a recent High Court decision in London, raising new questions about whether such events are breaching planning approval regulations.
Blackweir Live, which opened to concertgoers with shows by Noah Kahan and Alanis Morissette in late June and early July, continues to draw major artists. However, the green fencing surrounding much of Blackweir Fields has been in place since at least 25th June, causing concerns about how much of the public space remains inaccessible to the community throughout the summer. With clean-up scheduled to continue until 21st July, the total blocked-off period would exceed a month, prompting fresh scrutiny from locals and campaigners.
The debate has been sharpened by the recent High Court verdict against Lambeth Council in London. In that case, the Court quashed the council’s certificate of lawfulness for using Brockwell Park for gigs spanning more than the 28 days permitted under planning rules. While organisers in Lambeth went on to secure a lawful development certificate for a shorter window, Cardiff officials are now examining the implications of this ruling on their own processes for Blackweir Live.
During a recent Cardiff Council meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Rodney Berman voiced concerns shared by residents, directly questioning whether the parkland’s extended use for concerts stands up to planning scrutiny. “Can the council assure us that these events constitute a legal usage of the fields in planning terms?” Cllr Berman asked. The council’s response from cabinet member for culture, Jennifer Burke, was that organisers had worked closely with local businesses, promising that the event would bring an estimated £35 million in local spending. Burke insisted that the council had followed the proper procedures, and stated satisfaction with the advice provided by council officers.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson confirmed that the local authority is aware of the High Court judgement regarding Brockwell Park and would be reviewing what it means for future events in Cardiff. They added that security and public safety considerations require the fencing and event infrastructure to remain in place until event deconstruction is complete, but also pointed out that more than 80% of Bute Park’s acreage remains open on non-event days.
However, these assurances have not allayed the concerns of park users and neighbourhood campaigners. Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr John Lancaster, highlighted the community’s worries at the same council meeting, focusing on noise and urging for transparency on noise management plans, as well as legal compliance.
The roots of the controversy run deeper, having started when tickets went on sale for Blackweir Live before its licence for crowds of up to 35,000 had even been awarded by the city council. While council representatives maintained that the event, set up by partners Depot Live and Cuffe and Taylor, is needed to attract visitors and help sustain Bute Park financially, campaigners argue that too much of the beloved green space is being surrendered to commercial interests each summer.
A recent statement by Friends of Bute Park, an advocacy group for the city’s green spaces, criticised the council for prioritising high-profile events over public access. The group argued that the balance of usage has “swung too far” in favour of large commercial events, making portions of the park effectively off-limits for stretches of the summer. The statement also noted the variety of other venues available in Cardiff and suggested that areas in Cardiff Bay could be developed for similar purposes, negating the need to repurpose Bute Park.
The group also emphasised the impact on wellbeing for regular park users, particularly highlighting the negative atmosphere caused by construction and security measures. “The field now feels hostile and unwelcoming. For many the park provides a vital green space for mental health,” the Friends stated, reminding the council of the parkland’s history as a gift from the Bute family to Cardiff’s people, not to the city authorities alone.
Cardiff Council insists that it takes pride in the upkeep and community use of its parks, noting the hard work of its dedicated teams. The council underlined the importance of community input, including via licensing processes which set down strict conditions on event organisers covering noise and alcohol, among other aspects.
As the music continues at Blackweir Live, the broader debate on how best to balance economic benefits, community wellbeing, and respect for public spaces looks set to continue beyond the final encore. For many Cardiff residents, the outcome of these debates will be keenly watched, as the future of their city’s green heart hangs in the balance.