Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Proposal for increase in commercial events in Alexandra Park
The Alexandra Park and Palace management has recently put forward a proposal, for approval by the Board of Trustees on September 29th, to apply to Haringey Council for a ‘Premises Licence’ for Alexandra Park. As currently proposed, this licence would permit a significant increase in the number of commercial events in the Park. The Board meeting is immediately preceded by a joint meeting of the Consultative and Statutory Advisory Committees, which I will attend as usual, as representative of the Friends of Alexandra Park. I believe the increase in Park events is a significant change for the Park, and I would like you, if you have time, to read the following and the proposal, and let me have your views before the meetings on September 29th.
The Premises Licence is not in itself the issue, but the probable size and frequency of future events for which the Trust management is seeking permission, is causing some concern. The Appendices to the proposal show the areas proposed for events (The Grove, the Upper Field, the South Slope, the Pavilion car park, and Newlands Field) and the audience/visitor capacity and type of event which would be considered for each area. The Events team at the Palace have carried out safety studies and noise modelling to support this, and as a consequence only the South Slope is proposed for major music events. The other areas are identified for a variety of possible events such as smaller music events, theatre, opera, food festival, arts festival, corporate events etc.
As you will see from the proposal, the Trust management is not proposing anything like the Wireless Festival, which caused so many problems at Finsbury Park, and I can confirm from discussions with the AP&P Events Director that the Trust management is very conscious of the potential impact of Park events on neighbouring residential areas. However, the proposal in no way addresses the main impacts of events on the Park and its users, namely, the loss of access to parts of the Park, the presence of vehicles in the Park, particularly during setting up and breaking down, or the cumulative effects of increased footfall and pollution on the ecology of the Park. These effects are a function of the number and scale of the events. The maximum number of events noted in the proposal are:
Large (15,000 – 30,000) 8 event days per year
Medium (5,000 – 15,000) 11 event days per year
Small (0 – 5,000) 26 event days per year
Hence, as most of these events will be in the summer months, there could be a large or medium event every other weekend, with associated vehicle traffic in the Park in the days before and after.
The Friends of Alexandra Park recognise that the Trust needs to generate additional income, and that some of this can come from commercial events in the Park. In my view the Trust management has established a reasonable and improving track record of managing significant events in the Park with sensitivity to local residents (e.g. the Summer Festival, Red Bull Soap Box Derby, Foodie Festival), and I feel some increase in the number of events is acceptable. However I am doubtful whether the level of events contemplated in the proposal is compatible with everyday enjoyment of the Park, or with the proper maintenance of the Park as a Local Nature Reserve.
The Park is already accumulating damage and deterioration from events in the Park, not all of which can be quickly or easily repaired. It is essential that there is investment in the infrastructure of the Park ahead of the expansion of events in the Park, such as the re-building of paths and roads so that heavier vehicles do not cause damage at every event.
It is unfortunate that the Trust management has put forward this application for a Premises Licence without first properly setting out its intentions for increased event activity in the Park. Nevertheless we need to take this opportunity to make clear our position to the Trust committees and Board. The Friends’ committee want to understand how you feel about this proposal for an increase in the number of events in the Park, so please let us know your views by email to allyparkn10@gmail.com, by September 28th if possible.
My own response is as follows:-
Dear Friends of Alexandra Park,
I was shocked to receive your email about this matter and the Licence Application by the APP management to hugely increase the number, size and type of events to be regularly held in the parkland.
As most, if not all of these sites within the park overlook residential areas the likelihood disruption and disturbance seems great.
I am also most concerned about the almost certain impact of increased traffic along High Street Hornsey.
Already a narrow and busy road this is already suffering the impact from the building of the Sainsbury/Smithfield Square. And this is before we get the increased traffic, day and night, from many hundreds of new residents and Sainsbury delivery trucks.
To add to that with whatever number of huge trucks to set up all these events and the increased numbers of visitors is unimaginable and will be intolerable. I also wonder whether the current parking spaces within the park will cope - or will local residential areas such as the Campsbourne estate have even more non residents trying to park on already overcrowded streets.
I hate to thinks of the negative impact of vehicles and people on the grass areas and the wildlife of the park.
I was stunned to see that the area already lost to Go Ape will also have sports. Discos and corporate events. Now we know why the deer were removed.
I thought Newlands Fields and the rest of the park was protected Metropolitan Open Land - how can these proposals possibly be protective of the parkland?
The map makes it clear how much of the parkland will be unusable and out of bounds to locals who use the park.
The available space for free use by the public (which I believe is what it is meant for, will be severely reduced and impacted upon.
I strongly object to these proposals
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by EyeSpy on
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I'm a fan of more events there as it is a great location. The Red Bull events were a huge success, the gigs are great, the food festivals are awesome. Shane the public transport links are crap.
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Permalink Reply by PeterPiper on
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Any idea how much of the income generated will be used specifically for the restoration & maintenance of the palace & it's parkland?
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Lesley, what is the current number of events allowed under each catergory. I' d think some increase in number but what they're asking for seems too high in number.
On another point, what's happening with the hotel idea; any further forward?
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Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on
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Sorry i do not have any more info than posted here about this proposal.
i do not know current numbers of events but it is very few each year.
the hotel plan was many years ago and refused under judicial review.
this proposal has nothing to do with he Palace - it is about the parkland. The palace holds many events and these would continue, adding to numbers where you get an indoor and possibly several outdoor events at the same time.
i do not have info about income generated.
for those who wold like to see more events in the park - i am amazed considering the regular complaints on Harringayonline and in the local press from Ladder residents about the same type of events in Finsbury Park. Sounds very lie NIMBY.
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The difference when there was a trace course is that none of the lower areas of the park was open to public from Redston Rd along North View Rd and Newlands Rd and traffic was considerably less too.
You are correct that more figures needed.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Alexandra Palace is closer to the top of the ladder than Finsbury Park. I think Wireless has some very specific issues that people objected to, which is fine. You've got nothing so far other than "moar events". I'd give it time before you go accusing your neighbours of being nimbys.
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Permalink Reply by michaela rourke on
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Actually, I think the current management are doing an amazing job bringing the palace back to life - it's long overdue. Their plans to restore the theatre, for example, are stunning - but it all has to be paid for. It was sad to lose the deer though, I agree.
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I live just below the park and frequently visit the events held.
The Farmers Market is great, the fireworks display is always good, the craft beer and street food things are good fun and so are the sports events. Secret Cinema was fun, as was the drive in cinema.
I shan't be rushing to see many of the gigs / DJ nights there, because I'm a fossil.
Those which I've been to recently have shown an improved sound and refreshment service, as well as other logistical improvements, which were not apparent, say when Kings of Leon or Arcade Fire appeared.
I'd like to see more activity there, I don't buy the congestion along Hornsey High st view and would like to see traffic stats which support that position.( The recent Wightman rd situation massively impacted the traffic flow, but any effect which events have has not been evident to me, esp as there are free buses from Wood Green.
Any weekend during which the Palace is unused is in my view evidence of an underused resource.
An agreed and controlled programme of events seems to me to be a sensible way forward.
Steve Wilkins
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I really disagree with you on this Lesley. In my experience, the inconveniences are minor compared to the benefits. Cultural events are terribly underfunded and hugely important. We should support the AP&P team, who are doing a terrific job.
I am looking forward to an even greater use of the park.
My letter will be along the lines of...
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Dear Friends of Alexandra Park,
I am delighted to see the proposal by Alexandra Park and Palace for the increased use of Alexandra Park and a ‘Premises Licence’.AP&P has established itself as a superb venue for cultural events, delivering a tasteful schedule ranging from theatre, film and music to food festivals, sporting and other cultural events. My personal favourites include Fireworks, Secret Cinema, Red Bull Box Car Racing and the regular food festivals, which have made fantastic use of the Park and benefit Harringey immensely.The quality of events at AP&P is incredibly high and the organization is world class (much improved on years ago). I applaud the management team for their innovative use of these truly unique event spaces - they have proved themselves sensitive curators of both Palace and Park.AP&P draws visitors to Harringay from across the capital, the country and the world. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy events at AP&P every year, bringing prestige and financial benefits to the local area in addition to the obvious cultural value.The management team at AP&P should be encouraged and supported in making these unique spaces available to the people of Harringey and beyond through artistic and creative events - after all, what better use of such amazing public spaces is there than to open them to the public in such delightful ways.Alexandra Park and Palace is the cultural heart of Harringay. The people of Harringay and the Friends of Alexandra Park should celebrate this wonderful institution and support the management team in using the park to the fullest extent. I am very proud to have this wonderful venue in our local neighbourhood and I would like to see an even greater use of the Park for events. I hope that you will join with the majority of the community in endorsing the plans to ‘Premises Licence’ Alexandra Park.I am thoroughly excited about these exciting proposals.SincerelyTroy
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I think more events in the park would be wonderful. Any events I have been to there have been brilliant, well organised and well maintained. To not make more use of this great space is an opportunity missed for the whole of london. It is the People's Palace, after all!!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Just what I was thinking Noel. Kind of returns it to its original purpose. I do think though that increasing events needs to go hand in hand with increasing public transport options and dissuading car use.
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