Residents of an affluent Kensington street and the High Commissioner of India have lodged formal objections to a proposal by Burberry to stage a London Fashion Week show on Perks Field, the private garden of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The luxury brand has applied to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to erect a marquee opposite Kensington Palace Gardens — an area commonly referred to as Billionaires' Row — for a show scheduled as part of this month’s fashion calendar. Objectors, including a local residents’ association and the Indian High Commission, said the event would bring increased traffic, noise pollution and litter to the enclave.
Those filing objections urged the council to impose strict controls on noise and disruption. The High Commissioner of India said the residence frequently hosts diplomatic engagements and asked that noise be kept to an “acceptable level.” Other complainants described the proposed event as intrusive and part of a broader pattern of commercial activity in what has long been a private royal space.
Burberry said it has consulted the Royal Household, the Crown Estate and local residents as part of its planning work. The company declined to provide further comment on pending council business. The Royal Household and the Crown Estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Perks Field has been used for commercial events before: Burberry staged shows on the site in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the grounds recently hosted a multi-million-pound racehorse auction, according to neighbours who oppose this month’s proposal. Those residents say the latest application reflects a “growing commercialisation” of an area traditionally kept for private and ceremonial royal use.
The objections arrive amid longstanding tensions on the street adjacent to the palace. One neighbour cited recent high-profile disputes over renovations at a nearby property owned by billionaire estate agent Jon Hunt. The 72-year-old has been in conflict with neighbours for years over major basement works.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will consider any representations before deciding whether to grant planning permission for temporary structures and associated event traffic measures. If approved, the event would require coordination with local authorities on road closures, stewarding and waste management as well as any conditions the council may attach to mitigate disruption.
The proposed Burberry show is one of several high-profile uses of central London green space during London Fashion Week in recent years, as brands seek distinctive settings for runway presentations. Organisers and local authorities typically negotiate event terms to balance commercial activity with resident concerns and public access.
Elsewhere in the culture and celebrity scene, a series of property and social reports has drawn attention to British stars. Singer Robbie Williams has been linked to Cotswolds property searches, former footballer David Beckham was reported buying premium groceries, Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Holly is planning a wedding, and Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz were recently seen together in Rome. Public interest in celebrity homes and private events has added to debate over the use of prominent London locations for high-profile commercial and social gatherings.
The council’s planning timetable will determine whether objections alter Burberry’s plans. Any decision is expected to be published on the borough’s planning portal once the application has been fully considered.