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Wireless 2016 to go ahead as planned

Live Nation's Finsbury Park festival, headlined by Calvin Harris, Chase & Status and Kygo, is safe after a judge struck down a legal challenge

By IQ on 10 Jun 2016

Drake, Wireless Festival 2015, Finsbury Park

Friday-night fireworks as Drake performs at Wireless 2015 in Finsbury Park


A High Court judge yesterday dismissed a bid to have Wireless Festival banned from Finsbury Park.

Residents’ group The Friends of Finsbury Park had requested a judicial review of the decision to allow the festival to go ahead, arguing that that local authority Haringey Council “does not have the power” to greenlight the Live Nation event for the grade II-listed public park, which is classified as Metropolitan Open Land.

The group, which raised over £11,000 on crowdfunding website CrowdJustice towards its legal costs, contended the council’s decision was illegal under the Greater London (Parks and Open Spaces Act), which allows a maximum of the 10% of the park to be shut off for a private event (Wireless takes up 27%).

“Events like Wireless make a huge contribution to London’s cultural scene and in Haringey bring in hundreds of thousands of pounds, which is spent improving our parks and attracting more visitors”

Haringey Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Peray Ahmet, welcomed the decision. Cllr Ahmet said: “We are pleased with today’s ruling, which means that large-scale live music events in Finsbury Park and open spaces across London are no longer under threat.

“Events like Wireless make a huge contribution to London’s cultural scene and in Haringey bring in hundreds of thousands of pounds, which is spent improving our parks and attracting more visitors. We will continue to work with residents and event organisers to ensure Wireless Festival is safe and enjoyable for all.”

Tom Palin, The Friends of Finsbury Park’s chairman, says it will appeal the decision.