The announcement, made late on Thursday, leaves virtually no time for meaningful public scrutiny or legal challenge, and has sparked renewed accusations that the Council is attempting to rush through contentious planning decisions under cover of urgency.
Residents were given just two days to object to the application – a dramatically shorter consultation window than normal – and campaigners say the newly approved certificate appears almost identical to the one ruled unlawful by the High Court just last week.
In its statement, Lambeth Council claimed the new certificate had been submitted “in a different context and format,” and insisted the current use of the park for summer events is now lawful.