‘This park isn’t like Hyde Park, it’s a park in the middle of a residential area’
Kensington residents are concerned that a festive light show could disturb their Christmas celebrations this year.
Glow at Christmas has applied for permission to run a curated outdoor light art exhibition in Holland Park for up to 30 days, between November 15 and December 24.
Residents raised concerns over the impact the event would have on their festive period at a Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee this morning (Thursday, August 13).
Amanda Frame, Chair of the Kensington Society, said: “This park isn’t like Hyde Park, it’s a park in the middle of a residential area. It completely surrounds any residences so what happens in the park needs to reflect what their lives are like – their lives at Christmas, their lives in the midst of having families and Christmas and what that’s going to be and whether that’s going to be disturbed or not.”
Christian Harris, who is Parks Project Manager, told the Committee that he had “full confidence” that the applicant would protect park amenities, such as the Kyoto Garden.
He said he had discussed with the applicant the possibility of the Koi fish living in the garden’s pond being moved to a storage tank for the duration of the event.
However, Sophia Lambert, who is a trustee of the Kensington Society, said that there were concerns over safety of the “extremely precarious” bridge which runs over the gardens.
“I’m delighted the carp are being well looked after but I’m concerned the humans are not being well looked after,” she said.
She raised concerns about people crossing the bridge while drinking and how this could affect mothers with children doing the same.
She added: “On your heads be it if there’s a very nasty accident.”
Matthew Phipps, who represented the applicant, said that there would be plenty of measures to ensure the event runs smoothly.
These include SIA security staff, CCTV, searches and a contact number for local residents to call if they have concerns during the event.
He said that amplified music would be localised but that it was necessary to put on the event properly.
“There will be some impact by its very nature. We cannot pretend that we can put this event on and no one will know it’s there,” he told the Committee.
The event could include the showing of films, live music, recorded music, dance performances and the on and off sale of alcohol.
It would run from 3pm in the afternoon until 10.45pm at night.
The park, which normally closes at 4pm in the winter, would still be fully open to the public up until this opening time.
From the start of 2027, the licence would allow the event to run for up to 35 days per calendar year during the winter season.
“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.”
The Friends of Holland Park, who did not formally object to the proposal, raised concerns about the sports field becoming damaged by people walking over it.
Jennie Kettlewell, who is the group’s Chairman, also raised concerns over people drinking throughout the exhibition, outside of concession stand areas.
However, Mr Phipps told the Committee that barring this could mean residents drinking quicker to finish drinks before entering the exhibition.
A decision on the application will be made within five working days of the hearing.
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