Large scale rock concerts featuring the likes of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the Killers could be heading to Clapham Common.

Lambeth Council are currently negotiating with Live Nation, the company behind large scale events in Hyde Park, to bring events to the common.

But amenity groups the Friends of Clapham Common (FCC) and the Clapham Society have blasted the proposals, claiming the common will struggle to recover from 45,000 visitor a day events.

The council are running a consultation on the proposals to host a three day outdoor rock concert in June next year, with plans to extend it to a three year residency.

It is hoped the event could generate up to £3m for the areas, while a £30,000 Environmental Impact Fee would be paid towards the park.

Councillor Sally Prentice, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "Clapham Common is one of the jewels of Lambeth and hugely important to many people, not just residents of Clapham.

"Lambeth council has to be sensible about generating income to provide essential services and the partnership with Live Nation will increase the money from events, some of which goes directly to the Common to be used by the Friends of the Common."

The FCC have said grass on the common is still recovering from the last Live Nation event Sainsbury's Super Sunday, held in 2011.

There are also fears plans to extend the cut off time to 10.30pm from 10pm will disrupt neighbours, while there will be no socio-economic benefits for people living in the area.

Melanie Oxley, chairman of FCC, said: "The commercialisation of Clapham Common has reached new heights.

"Lambeth Council risks converting our heritage landscape into an enterprise platform. Despite clear objections from ourselves and others, Lambeth is welcoming all kinds of unsuitable events.

"This is increasing tension between the council and leading community groups, who are also engaged in discussions about co-operative management of the Common."

The public consultation is due to end on December 6.

 

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