Fallout from the Krankbrother event – one of several music festivals in the park

LOCALS and environ­mental activists have slammed the damage done to Finsbury Park after music festivals this year as the “worst ever”.

Park users were met with an “ecological dead zone” populated by dry soil, obliterated grass, trampled meadows, and felled trees when fences came down last week, campaigners said.

Lucy Bland, who is part of the Haringey Tree Protectors, told the Tribune that she was “horrified” when she saw the fallout from the Krankbrother event.

“All the ground looks horrendous,” she said. “And then we started to notice the trees felled, topped, bashed into. You could see where they were starting to die. It’s very traumatic for trees if their roots are compressed like that.”

Gio Iozzi, also a member of Haringey Tree Protectors, added: “2025 is the worst we’ve seen it in five years. For the council and Krank to be chopping down trees for a commercial music event which shouldn’t even be held here is shocking.”

Finsbury Park residents have repeatedly tried to raise concerns about the environmental damage done by events like these to the council.

They say they are particularly worried about soil “compaction”, where heavy vehicles, food vans, and thousands of dancing feet mean that tree roots are crushed and suffocated.

Despite being vocal about the damage the events do to the parks, however, community groups like the Haringey Tree Protectors and the Friends of Finsbury Park say they are consistently ignored.

Ms Bland said: “It’s not a nimby position. It just doesn’t seem like an appropriate place to have it, especially that part of the park. Haringey Council should be trying to preserve and nurture it, not destroy it.

“When they see these festivals, they just see dollar signs,” added Ms Bland.

The Haringey Tree Protectors have called for the council to consider other locations, like the Lordship Recreation Ground, as alternative venues for the summer music festivals.

Lucy Bland of Haringey Tree Protectors

Ms Bland added: “You feel that they don’t listen at all, that they don’t take any notice of what we say. We’re just saying, think about where these are held.”

Haringey Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, Councillor Emily Arkell, said: “We understand the immeasurable value trees bring to our parks and felling is always a last resort. Unfortunately, these two trees were showing serious defects and were hazardous. We simply cannot put the public at risk, particularly when the trees are in a heavily used park and regrettably, they needed to be removed, irrespective of whether they were inside or outside the Krankbrother event site.

“We always protect trees during events and guidance is given to organisers to protect trees and reduce soil compaction.

“We carefully consider feedback and concerns arising from events and will ask event organisers to make small adjustments but are confident no lasting or significant damage occurred.”

Krankbrother directors said: “Krankbrother continue to work closely with Haringey Council to minimise impact during its events at Finsbury Park. These measures include employing a fully independent ecological consultant to oversee the build and break process during the festival.

“Exclusion zones around important trees are in place throughout build and break, as well as significant ground protection measures.

“We are also overseen directly by officers from Haringey Council.

“The results from our independent ecological survey are shared with local residents after the event.”