Formula E Granted Permission For Battersea Park Return

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With conditions attached to minimise disruption

Councillors have agreed to grant planning consent for this summer’s Formula E championship in Battersea Park.

The borough’s planning committee has awarded the organisers planning permission to stage a weekend of racing in the park on July 2 and 3.

Committee chairman Cllr Sarah McDermott said: “This was decision made purely on planning grounds and in accordance with planning legislation.

“We had to satisfy ourselves that in planning terms alone this was a suitable and appropriate event for the park and having heard all the evidence and looked at this issue in great detail the committee agreed Formula E should be given consent to return this year.”

The planning permission has a number of conditions attached which are designed to minimise disruption for local residents, especially from noise disturbance.

The council points out that construction arrangements for this year’s event have been amended with the aim of minimising the impact on people’s everyday use and enjoyment of the park, and more areas of the park will be kept open for longer prior to the race weekend.

Parking controls in the area around the park will be extended so that only residents are able to park. There will be no parking nearby for race fans who will again be advised to travel to the event by public transport.

Community services spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “We learned a great deal last year when Formula E first came to the park and we are working very closely with the organisers to make sure that these lessons are implemented for this year’s set-up and de-rig.

“Our two primary aims are to make sure the park does not suffer any undue damage and to keep disturbance to the absolute minimum in the period before the race weekend and immediately afterwards."

Last year’s inaugural weekend of racing attracted more than 55,000 spectators – including 9,000 Wandsworth residents, with the final race won by Sam Bird from Roehampton.