A Welsh Government minister has called on councils to be mindful of the impact of events on public spaces as a controversial series of gigs gets underway in Cardiff.

Blackweir Live, which begins in Bute Park on Friday night, has faced opposition ever since it was originally announced.

Noah Kahan is headlining the opening night, with Alanis Morrissette, Slayer and Stevie Wonder playing at Blackweir Fields over the next month.

Kings of Leon were due to play on Sunday, but their UK tour was cancelled because frontman Caleb Followill was injured.

Cardiff Council argues the concerts will help generate income to maintain and improve the park in the future but volunteers and other stakeholders, including Friends of Bute Park, say too much of the park will be inaccessible during the summer months.

In the Senedd on Tuesday, Conservative MS Joel James asked social justice secretary Jane Hutt about the gigs.

He said: "Many residents are increasingly concerned that public green spaces meant for the benefit of the community have been overused by councils for activities they weren’t originally designed for, particularly festivals and live music events."

"These events not only restrict public access, especially for grassroots sports clubs, but also bring large crowds that can damage the local environment and leave the area in a fragile state."

"A current example is Blackweir Fields in Cardiff, a Grade I-listed public green space. Cardiff Council is using it to host a series of concerts from June 27 to July 21 during a time when residents are most likely to use it."

“A 10ft wall has also been erected around the site making it feel more like a prison than a public park.

“In light of this could the relevant cabinet secretary provide a statement on the appropriate use of public spaces for festivals and events?"

Ms Hutt, who is also Trefnydd of the Senedd, replied: “You do draw attention to events, many of which are sponsored, or organised or proposed, planned by external organisations in terms of the music industry, obviously attracting great public interest and visitor attraction."

"So it is very important that local authorities are mindful of the impact and, of course, that they have the responsibilities and the regulations to guide them on these matters."

Last week, it was reported that a green wall had been put up around Blackweir Fields.

Two days later, residents expressed their concerns about the changes to the park and the upcoming gigs at a public meeting, which was attended by Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas.

People there expressed their support for music events in the city but argued that having more gigs at Bute Park was getting the balance wrong.

One resident criticised the council of having a “cavalier attitude” to Bute Park in relation to Blackweir Live and another called for a review looking at the long-term impact it will have on the popular green space.

Cardiff Council said the green wall around Blackweir Fields will remain in place throughout the events.

Cllr Thomas argued that allowing more live music events at Bute Park would help the city council to avoid difficult budget decisions going forward.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) earlier this month: "There is a financial upside to the council of hosting live music events in Blackweir. That makes an important contribution to allowing us to set that balanced budget."

"One of the ways that we’ve avoided making really difficult facility closures in recent years is by generating income and that’s where Blackweir Live comes in from a financial perspective."

Cardiff Council was initially facing the prospect of having to save more than £60m in 2025/26, but following a better than expected budget settlement from the Welsh Government, this figure was reduced to £27.7m.

Cllr Thomas added: "We are also proud of our credentials as a music city. We want to see the biggest and best artists from all over the world perform in Cardiff...that is what you are seeing. Ticket sales are strong."

"Of course, we recognise how loved the city’s parks are. There are safeguards in place to ensure that the parks are maintained. If they are not maintained, there is provision to claw back the money to make them good."

“This is about music making. The last few summers in Cardiff have been exemplified by a litany of the biggest names in music coming here to perform. That is what we are seeing again and expanded this summer.

“Whilst I recognise the concern, and hopefully people objectively will see that we’ve safeguarded to mitigate those concerns, this is also about getting some fantastic music happening in the city."

When tickets for Blackweir Live gigs first went on sale, the site already had a a licence - however, this was only for a capacity of up to 25,000 people, which was 10,000 less than the capacity needed to hold the events as planned.

It wasn’t until April, following a meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee, that a new licence was approved.

When asked at the meeting if things had been done the wrong way around, a KC representing the council said organisers needed to act quickly to secure global artists.

Under the licence, a maximum of six 'main event' days can be held during the year - one of 46 conditions attached to manage future events correctly and to try and mitigate any potential negative impact.

A Cardiff Council spokesman said: “Public safety and security considerations mean that the fence around the Blackweir Live site will remain in place throughout the events until the event breakdown is complete.

“During this period, 108.4 of the park’s 130 acres will be open to the public as normal on days when no concerts are taking place – that equates to 83.4% of the park’s total area.”

“The council is aware of the recent High Court ruling related to Brockwell Park in London. The details and full implications of the ruling are being reviewed and will be taken into consideration ahead of any future events.”

When asked if he felt the council had been "rushed" into making a decision on Blackweir Fields, Cllr Thomas told the LDRS: "I don’t think so. I think we’ve had to move quickly, but we are working with a promoter who is a local promoter."

"It is bigger companies involved in delivering the artist, but this is a local promoter who is taking a risk on this project. That needs to be acknowledged."

"We will be working closely with the promoter to make sure things go well because…we want it to be a success and potentially [in] future years we will have a longer lead in time to get the right artists lined up, but I don’t think it was a case of being rushed."