'Royale' wedding camp on Clapham Common upsets the neighbours

A row has broken out over a giant campsite on Clapham Common for revellers on the royal wedding bank holiday weekend.

Up to 4,000 people are expected to use Camp Royale as a "cheap alternative" to hotels.

Lambeth council has granted permission for the ticketed event but Wandsworth today said it had not been formally notified of the plans, even though parts of the common fall within its boundaries.

The council is seeking talks with Lambeth. Wandsworth environment spokesman Sarah McDermott said: "Lambeth has a clear and direct responsibility to discuss large-scale plans like these both with us in the neighbouring local authority and also with residents in our borough who will be directly affected.

"It is quite unacceptable that we have only learned about these proposals from media reports." The event is set to take place from April 28 until May 1. Up to 4,000 people will camp overnight, at a cost of £75 for three days, with a further 5,000 allowed to enter an "entertainment area" during the day. National Express is laying on coaches to the camp from 35 locations.

A Lambeth spokeswoman said it had granted "in principle" agreement for a family event with a campsite of 1,806 tents and up to 4,000 people. "This means the council is satisfied that it can be run safely within the council's strict guidelines. The next stage is to discuss the proposal with local residents and councillors before a final decision about whether the event can take place," she said.