Plans have been submitted to use a popular Cardiff park for a major series of live events this summer.
Cardiff Council has lodged plans to use Blackweir Fields in Bute Park as a concert venue to bring Blackweir Live back to the city.
Unlike Blackweir Live 2025, which was the first time the event was held, planning permission is now being sought for the 2026 iteration.
Planning permission was not sought last year on the basis that planning law allows a temporary change of use of parks for less than 28 days, which Blackweir Live was expected to fall in.
However, a later report found that, including set-up and clearing, Blackweir Fields was affected for 37 days.
According to the planning application, “the proposal involves the temporary use of Blackweir Fields until the 31st August 2031 inclusive for a period of up to 42 days (including site set up and removal), facilitating a series of live concerts.”
In the past, the concert series proved controversial, with many groups who used the park raising concerns about the impact of the event on the park grounds such as cricket pitch degradation and environmental damage.
Concerns were also raised about traffic, noise, and access concerns in relation to the series of gigs.
However, other groups, such as local pub owners, praised the event for the additional revenue it generated.
At the time, Cardiff Council said revenue generated from the event can be reinvested into the city’s grassroots music scene and parks.
However, it refused to answer a freedom of information request in 2025 asking how much the local authority made from the Blackweir Live gig series that year.
The return of the gig series was announced in September 2025 shortly after a survey on that year’s event was published.
Blackweir Live 2025 saw tens of thousands of people in attendance with big names such as Stevie Wonder, Noah Kahan, Alanis Morissette and Slayer leading the live performances.
It was hailed as a major success by organisers Depot Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

Officers given additional powers following King Square anti-social behaviour
Historic Llantwit Major Town Hall clock restored after 15-year effort
New QR codes let residents report overflowing bins across the Vale
Vale Council launches new scheme to tackle chewing gum-stained pavements
Penarth Remembrance Parade will go ahead after traffic management agreement reached
Summer wildfires were “extremely challenging” for firefighters
Senedd calls for disused coal tips action and inclusion of Aberfan in school curriculum
Barry Town Council unveils plans for new heritage centre
More than 6 million people visited the Vale in 2025 according to new figures
Welsh organisation Luna’s Light calls for children to learn about grief
Welsh Tory leader calls for the declaration of a “health emergency” in Wales
Funded childcare for all two-year-olds to expand across Vale of Glamorgan
The first steps have been taken to deliver a £4m cycle track to the Welsh capital
Leo praised by RNLI after raising alarm for two boys caught by rising tide
Engineering works to disrupt Vale of Glamorgan rail services during Half Term
Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema voted one of the best 15 cinemas in the UK
Vale community invited to stand together against domestic abuse at White Ribbon Day candle vigil
Barry Museum plans spring 2027 reopening following repair work
Plans approved for new Aldi supermarket in Barry
Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan is calling for a national effort to strengthen Britain's defences against AI