Camp site objections raised in Parliament and with Lambeth council
Chuka has raised concerns over the proposed ‘Camp Royale’ camp site on Clapham Common in Parliament this week, and has also written to Lambeth council calling for the event to be reconsidered.
‘Camp Royale’ plans to turn Clapham Common into a three-day campsite with capacity for thousands of campers to coincide with the Royal Wedding on April 29. Many constituents and Clapham Common users have been in touch with Chuka to raise concerns and objections following news reports last weekend on the proposed event.
In his letters to Lambeth council’s Licencing Department and Events Team, Chuka cites the lack of consultation with local residents and Clapham Common user groups and calls for the event to be reconsidered in light of this. He also raises fears over the impact the event will have on the environment of the common and local transport as well as concerns over community safety, policing and alcohol on the site.
Although Clapham Common has played host to a number of festivals and events each year, it is unprecedented for these to involve overnight camping.
Raising the matter in the House of Commons yesterday with Leader of the House Sir George Young, Mr Umunna said:
“I, like others, was delighted for Prince William and Kate Middleton when news of their engagement was announced. I look forward to celebrating their wedding with many of my constituents at street parties on the big day.
“However, this day of national celebration should not be exploited by fly-by-night companies looking to make a fast buck from the wedding such as Eleven Events Limited which is planning to transform Clapham Common in my constituency into a mass campsite for thousands of people to mark the occasion.”Sir George Young replied that he would pass on Mr Umunna’s concerns to relevant ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government.
