Residents in West London borough say Christmas light installation ‘should not be too bright’

Further concerns were raised over how the peaceful Kyoto garden located within the park would be protected

Kensington residents have said that they are worried about a possible Christmas light installation in the local area being too bright.

Glow at Christmas has applied for permission to run a curated outdoor light art exhibition aimed at families.

If granted, the installation will operate for up to 35 days within Holland Park during the festive period.

For the first year, Glow at Christmas will only run for up to 30 days, between November 15 and December 24.

However, several local resident’s groups and individuals have raised concerns over the event, one of which is about the lights being too bright.

Further concerns were raised over how the Kyoto garden, located within the park, would be protected.

Two local residents wrote a joint letter to the council to say that they would “vehemently” oppose the licensing application.

“The description of the nature of activities being proposed, if the licence is granted, is enough to raise alarm bells for the residents, who have lived here long and enjoyed the tranquillity, serenity and natural surroundings,” one of them said.

“Given the nature of the activities subject to grant of the licence, we have severe concerns and would vehemently oppose this. Needless to say that, if granted, the licence would set a severely objectionable precedent in this predominantly a quiet residential area which the residents have always taken for granted.

“Furthermore, this would undoubtedly encourage and can easily spill over to unsocial activities, crime and disorder, public safety, noise pollution and a grave nuisance for the residents. We would, hence, urge the council to give this a serious consideration before authorisation of the licence application.”

Glow at Christmas would be family-focused ticketed event, putting on a curated Christmas light show in Holland Park.

The event could include the showing of films, live music, recorded music, dance performances and the on and off sale of alcohol.

“Glow at Christmas is a curated outdoor light art exhibition for families and a general audience. It is not a concert, festival, nightclub or alcohol-led event, ” wrote the applicant.

“Entry is by timed ticket, which controls visitor numbers and circulation across the site throughout the evening.”

There will also be a trained stewarding and security team, a duty management structure and a control room to oversee the operation.

The Friends of Holland Park, who raised the issue of light pollution to the council, said they would not be formally objecting to the application as long as all these were addressed by the applicant.

“We understand there may be a Light Art installation on the sports ground. This would be visible to ticket-holders walking up Earls Court Walk, but there should be no visitor access to the sports field after the park is closed to the public,” wrote a spokesperson for the group.

“This light installation should not be so bright that it impacts negatively on residences next to the park.”

The Kensington Society and two more local residents also wrote to the council to raise concerns over the application.

Matthew Evans, the Council’s Principal Planning Enforcement Officer, reviewed the park’s history and raised “no objections” to the application.

Kensington and Chelsea will issue a decision following a licensing hearing on this Thursday (August 13).

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