Plans to build 180 homes on Crystal Palace park as part of a major redevelopment of the site are on hold after the Communities Secretary Hazel Blears called in the plans and signalled her intention to hold a public inquiry.
The London Development Agency is seeking planning consent from local councils to build private homes on the current caravan park and use the proceeds to refurbish the park.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has previously indicated the scheme “is acceptable in principle” but issued warnings on the need to draw up “robust” agreements to ensure the scheme delivers the promised improvements for park users.
Opponents of the scheme are calling on the LDA to find other funding sources for the scheme.
Green Party AM Darren Johnson said: “The selling of land within Crystal Palace Park for 180 private luxury flats to fund the park’s regeneration is unacceptable and the Government is right to question it. Not only is it counter to the strength of local feeling but will set a precedent that is likely to threaten the future of public parks and other open spaces throughout the country.”
richard huggins says
March 7, 2009 at 12:28 pmAs a local resident with 2 young children I wish to protest most strongly against Boris Johnson’s ‘in principle’ agreement to the development of 180 luxury homes within the boundaries of CP Park. In my opinion the park is historically very significant and has wonderful facilities already, including the potential for low cost caravan stays. Overall I find Crystal Palace to be the best park in the whole of South London. If there is any need to finance ‘improvements’ this must be done without financially exploiting or compromising this great public space in any way. Parks were introduced in London in Victorian times to be the ‘lungs of London’ and not be whittled away as prime sites to house the wealthy.