Temporary park events at Gunnersbury Park, Ealing, London W3

What was proposed

The application sought five years of temporary events, with up to 19 live event days and 115 total days each year including trackway and event preparation.

“Jacky Leung jacky.leung@hounslow.gov.uk References: P/2025/3274 Address: Gunnersbury Park W3 8LQ Ward: Chiswick Gunnersbury Proposal: Temporary change of use of areas of Gunnersbury Park for the staging of temporary events between 01 January 2027 and 31 December 2031. Up to 19 live event days per calendar year, with a total of 115 days including set-up, inactive, removal and trackway days.”

“Proposal presented in August Amended proposal Duration of the permission 5 years 5 years Live event days 22 days per calendar year 19 days per calendar year Total days with set- up and removal 115 days per calendar year, excluding construction and deconstruction of the trackway. 115 days per calendar year, including construction and deconstruction of the trackway.”

Officer report

Earlier events and deferral

Earlier temporary event applications at the park were approved, while this application was deferred so members could consider fewer event days.

“Relevant History: P/2025/1015 Temporary change of use of area of Gunnersbury Park for the staging of a three-day music event to be held on 12th, 13th and 14th September 2025. Set-up from 1st September 2025 and clearance by 19th September 2025. Including erection of associated temporary structures, ancillary concessions and facilities.”

“00885/A/P27 Temporary change of use of area of Gunnersbury Park for the staging of a one-day music event to be held on 17th September 2022. Set-up from 5th September 2022 and clearance by 23rd September 2022. Including erection of associated temporary structures, ancillary concessions and facilities. Approved: 02/08/2022 00885/A/P26 Temporary change of use of the park for a series of one day concert events between 4th August 2022 and 27th August 2022.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Residents and organisations raised concerns about noise, access, traffic, ecology, heritage and cumulative effects, while consultees including Historic England, Garden Trust and TfL did not object.

“The proposal risks harm to major heritage assets and Metropolitan Open Land. See assessment 6.3 – 6.17 and 6.41 – 6.52 Large crowds drawn to a residential area raise real questions about crowd management, emergency access, and antisocial behaviour spilling out onto surrounding streets. See assessment 6.77 – 6.80 Temporary structures, heavy event lorries, and large crowds frequently tear up the turf, leaving scarred ground that can take months to recover.”

“Historic England recognises that staging large-scale live events is a vital contributor to the Gunnersbury Estate Community Interest Company (CIC) finances for managing and maintaining the site, as supported by the Gunnersbury Park Masterplan.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The report was presented by the planning officer, who answered questions about construction traffic, monitoring, licensing, noise, complaints, access and biodiversity.

Members debated the balance

Members discussed free tickets, residents’ concerns, the park’s finances, event controls, reduced event days and the improvements made since the earlier hearing.

“Cllr Craig Owen stated that he had voted to defer the Application in August because he believed that the requested 22 days of events and 115 days of temporary infrastructure plus unlimited presence of trackways threatened the openness of the park. Since then, however, there had been material improvements to the Application including a reduction of three event days and one fewer Band 1 event.”

“Cllr Katherine Dunne advised that members had listened to both residents and the applicants and had very difficult decisions to make. She acknowledged all the e-mails sent for and against the Application and the spoken representations made at the 6 August meeting from both sides.”

Minutes

The committee voted

Members approved adding a free-ticket condition unanimously, then approved the application by eight votes to two, with two abstentions.

“Members voted unanimously for the condition to be added to permission if the officer’s recommendations were to be approved.”

“For – Eight votes Against – Two votes Abstentions – Two…”

Minutes

What was decided

The application was approved for up to 19 live event days each year and 115 total days between 2027 and 2031, subject to conditions.

“Cllr Dunne moved approval of the officer’s recommendations on the substantive item as amended with the above condition to be attached, seconded by Cllr Bowring. Members voted to approve by a majority.”

“Resolved – That planning application P/2025/3274, temporary change of use of areas of Gunnersbury Park for the staging of temporary events between 01 January 2027 and 31 December 2031. Up to 19 live event days per calendar year, with a total of 115 days including set-up, inactive, removal and trackway days. Including the erection of associated temporary structures, fencing, ancillary concessions and facilities was approved subject to conditions.”

Minutes