The Kenwood pontoon |
‘Go ahead’ for floating stage CONSERVATION groups are crying foul play after a floating stage installed on a Kenwood lake looked set to be given the go-ahead by planning chiefs tonight (Thursday).
Town Hall officers who held emergency talks with concert bosses IMG and Kenwood guardians English Heritage last Thursday have recommended that no action is taken to dismantle the stage which was erected without planning permission.
Their report says: “As no immediate harm can be demonstrated then no action should be taken during this concert season. However officers from both planning and environmental health will monitor the situation this summer.”
Even if the planning committee decides to ignore officers’ recommendations and call for the stage to be taken down, officers say the concert season – due to start on Saturday – will be over before any enforcement notice could be carried out.
Gordon Maclean from the Heath and Hampstead Society accused concert bosses of “outmanoeuvring” opposition to the giant stage – which campaigners have branded an eyesore. He said: “It will be there for three months of the year, which is hardly a temporary structure.
“We feel we have been outmanoevred in an underhanded way.”
IMG – which has been forced to cancel two concerts this year by licensing chiefs – installed the floating stage earlier this month as part of a £300,000 package of sound reduction measures.
IMG says it was advised by a council officer that the temporary structure – due to be towed into the centre of the lake where it will be moored for the season – did not need planning permission.
A spokeswoman from English Heritage said: “IMG has been in discussion with Camden Council planning since early March seeking clarification as to whether planning permission is required for the stage because it has moved position.
“Camden Council reached a decision two weeks ago that planning permission was required and IMG immediately lodged a planning application.” |
