Crystal Palace Park plan 'in tatters'

Monday, 20 April 2009

By Clare Casey

A MULTIMILLION-pound plan to develop Crystal Palace Park is “in tatters”, according to the head of a community group.

The London Development Agency (LDA) is planning a £67million park improvement and development plan.

Park owner Bromley council had offered the LDA a long lease on the land so the City Hall body could control work on the site.

But the LDA declined the offer, and it has now been withdrawn.

John Payne, Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA) chairman, spoke out after the news.

He said it was “now virtually inconceivable” that park improvements would happen.

Mr Payne said: “The master plan is in absolute tatters. There’s no clarity on what work will be done.

“There’s no planning permission for any of it, and there’s no funding in place.

“I am not in the least surprised they haven’t taken on the lease.

"I wouldn’t want to take on ownership for a development with no planning permission in place, it would be madness.”

The master plan was drawn up by the LDA to make the park “one of the most spectacular green spaces in Europe”.

It proposes tree top walks, 600 new trees, five new entrances, an aquarium, sunken gardens and more.

But the LDA decision means Bromley keeps full control of the site.

The LDA’s plans had attracted controversy because the proposals are partly funded though plans to build 180 flats on part of the park.

The Government has reacted to the concern, and called a planning inquiry, which is scheduled for July.

Mr Payne said that without the lease the LDA would now have the option to “wash its hands of the park” if the inquiry blocks its development plans.

But the LDA has said it is “fully committed to the park and the master plan”, after investing more than £5million in creating its plans.

An LDA spokeswoman said: “We have demonstrated our commitment to Crystal Palace Park over the past five years.

“The LDA has already made improvements to the part of the park we are already responsible for.

“We are working with Bromley and neighbouring boroughs to find a way to take forward the vision of a restored and rejuvenated the park.”

Email: clare.casey@slp.co.uk

For the full story, you can get a full online edition at www.slp-e-edition.co.uk

---

1 comments on this news item

Posted by : ruby, balham | Sunday 03/May/2009 | Report this comment

I don’t see what the problem is, there are already existing flats on the park anyway.

---

Submit your comment below :
Your Name (required) :

Your Email*(required) :

Your Location (required) :

Your Comment (required) :

Maximum Number of characters for this text box is 400.

You have 400 characters remaining for your description...

I agree to the terms and conditions and comment rules (required) :

The South London Press may not publish all comments.
Your comments may be published on any Tindle Newspaper Ltd. media.
*Your email address will not be displayed.

Enter the code as it is shown below (required):