A controversial plan to host a two-day K-Pop festival for 15,000 people in a North London park this summer has received more than 170 objections from local residents. While some claim the festival would provide a ‘boost to the local economy,’ an overwhelming majority of those responding have called for the application to be refused over concerns about noise, litter, and antisocial behaviour.
Magic Sound Ltd has applied to hold the MIK (Made In Korea) Festival in Northwick Park on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. The application is set to come before Brent Council’s Planning Committee next month (February 4), when a decision on whether the event can go ahead will be made. If approved, it will be the second time the K-Pop festival has come to London after its first event in 2022, which took place in Southwark Park.
The event has faced mounting opposition from local councillors and residents, with one calling it ‘an abomination’. The police, licensing officer and nuisance control team have all agreed conditions and subsequently withdrawn their opposition. However, 171 residents have made representations urging the council to refuse the application, with just five in support.
Those opposed to the event taking place have raised concerns about the impact the noise will have on patients at the nearby Northwick Park Hospital, as well as on local residents and the park’s wildlife. There are also fears there will be drug and alcohol use at the festival, which may result in increased antisocial behaviour in the area.
One resident wrote: “I am extremely alarmed and astonished that an application has been made for a live music concert in Northwick Park aimed at attracting thousands of people to attend […] resulting in distress to the area, with unprecedented levels of litter, traffic, noise, disturbance to residents and the local wildlife […]. This is a ridiculous idea of having a concert in Northwick Park. This is not Wembley Stadium or Arena where such concerts are more suited.”
Another added: “The application for a music venue in this location is an abomination. There is already a problem in the area with loud music. We live a good distance away from Wembley Stadium and can hear concerts playing from our house. This location is much closer so will cause severe noise nuisance.
“Furthermore they want to serve alcohol, seemingly to attract students from the university. The park is in a residential area. Serving alcohol in this location will cause rowdy behaviour and disturb the peace.”
The festival has also received opposition from councillors Narinder Bajwa and Daniel Kennelly, citing its potential impact on public transport, noise, and litter. Cllr Bajwa said: “Alcohol and food will be sold all day which means cans and rubbish will be all over the streets.
“There will be a big issue regarding parking, visitors most definitely will also be travelling by cars. We already have a big issue regarding parked cars in Northwick Park and the concert visitors will worsen the situation by taking over resident parking spaces.”
Whilst there is strong opposition to the plan, there is some support from local residents who feel it is a ‘great opportunity’ for the area and ‘will boost the local economy’. One said: “This is a great opportunity to make the area a destination, to support the local economy, community spirit, and safety by bringing in positive community activities into the park which will deter unsavoury and criminal activities and individuals.”
Another added: “This is a very good opportunity for the community to get together, and also for the more under-represented demographic to showcase their cultural practices. Having a community event such as this will also mean that relationships can be closely fostered within the area, especially amongst the residents.”
The organisers have moved to assuage the concerns of many residents, outlining plans to mitigate the potential impact any noise, anti-social behaviour, traffic, and litter may have on them. A professional noise impact assessment will be carried out over the coming weeks to create a management plan, which Magic Sound Ltd claim will ‘minimise disruption’ to residents.
A security and crowd management plan will be developed, with stewards deployed to fixed positions to monitor and manage crowd behaviour and response teams located in the surrounding roads. The organisers added that Korean food, music, and culture ‘are the focus’ of the event, rather than alcohol consumption. There will also be waste and traffic management plans to tackle any litter or congestion related issues.
Responding to the issues raised by residents, Magic Sound Ltd said: “[…] whilst we know that events have not previously taken place in Northwick Park and therefore it is unlikely that one can take place without any change to park users’ daily experience of the park, we are committed to listening to our residents and working with them to reduce the impact insofar as is possible.”
They added: “I know the use of spaces in this way is controversial, but they do absolutely benefit the local authority financially and for those residents who have an interest in attending them, they offer an experience and chance to make memories with their families close to home.”
According to the organisers, the festival entertainment would consist of a single stage where a number of Korean Pop (K-Pop) and Chinese Pop acts will perform. There will also be around 40 food stands, alongside two bars and stands selling merchandise.
As well as the live music, the licence would cover showcasing plays, films, recorded music, dance performances, and the sale of alcohol from 11am until 10.30pm on the days of the festival. The doors would open to attendees at 11am but stay open for an additional hour, until 11.30pm, after the performances stop.
As the outdoor stage would be amplified, residents have been warned that there may be additional disruption caused by sound checks, which could take place between 9am and 6pm Monday to Sunday. The event site would be fully enclosed by steel fencing to ensure access is controlled to ticket holders, with only a single public entrance.
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
