The Leader of Harlow Council has today announced that full planning permission has been granted for the rebuild of the Town Park bandstand and construction work will start next week.
The decision moves the project decisively from planning into delivery and completes step six of the council’s eight-step rebuild programme. The morning after the devastating fire last September, the Leader of the Council made a clear commitment to residents: to rebuild the bandstand bigger and better than before and ready to host major events this summer. The granting of planning permission confirms that promise is being delivered.
The new bandstand design is modern and fully symmetrical, honouring the much-loved original structure while reflecting the pioneering spirit of Harlow New Town. It has been shaped with residents, performers and community groups to ensure it meets the needs of today while preserving its historic significance.
Built using low-carbon materials including contemporary steel and stone, the design also incorporates salvaged bricks from the original bandstand, maintaining a physical link to the past as the town looks to the future. The rebuilt bandstand will feature a significantly larger, step-free performance space, upgraded acoustics and audiovisual equipment, purpose-built backstage facilities, improved security measures and new landscaping, including a living green roof.
There were no objections to the planning application for the new bandstand.
Once complete, the bandstand will be capable of hosting Harlow’s biggest events and line-ups to date, reclaiming its place at the heart of the town’s cultural life.
Announcing the news, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“Securing planning permission is a landmark moment for this project and for our town. And importantly, construction work begins next week to build our new bandstand.
“The day after the fire, we promised the people of Harlow that the bandstand would be rebuilt bigger and better than before and ready to host major events this summer - and we are delivering on that promise.
“The new design respects the bandstand’s iconic heritage while giving it the scale, quality and resilience it always deserved. It is modern, accessible and built for major performances, and it has been shaped with our community at every step.
“This summer, a new generation of Harlow residents will experience Town Park filled once again with music, celebration and thousands of people coming together. This project is about pride in our town, belief in our future and delivering what we say we will - Building Harlow’s Future.”
The council will continue to provide regular updates as construction progresses, ahead of the bandstand reopening later this year.