Reader views (30)

 Add your view

A very large majority of people supported the Master Plan at the various public exhibitions and meetings. It was the biggest consultation effort, having taken place over many years, of its type. At last we have the beginnings of the refurbishment of an historic, well loved, widely known and very dilapidated park. Most people in the area are excited and can hardly wait for the work to begin. We should not be so churlish about accepting the loss, for housing, of less than 1% of (currently non-accessible) parkland if it means that our Master Plan finances can be greatly helped; and London does need housing as well as parks. It's important that the many pro-plan people make their views known and urge Bromley, the LDA and others to get going. Some early fruits will be enjoyed when the NSC re-opens in the spring next year in time for the Tetrathon, the Youth Games and the London Grand Prix. It could be used as an Olympic training venue and - at last - we'll have our pool back complete with much better changing rooms. Bring on the changes!

- Ray Sacks, London, UK

Re Crystal Palace
Why are the LDA still plucking statistics and figures from the air? Why won't they tell us how much money they have spent on glossy brochures and expensive campaign to force us local people into agreeing with them. They do not listen to us. They did not say how much the houses will cost to build or how much profit (if any) they will make. They do not say which areas of the park will be freed up for parkland. They are not allowed to get rid of the old stadium as it is a listed building but they want to build another sports' centre. Where are they going to find this extra parkland that they keep promising us? They give us lots of fairy tale facts but do not give us the real figures. The LDA only listens to people who agree with them; not the wishes of the majority.

If I can't afford to pay for a luxury holiday I either don't go or I just sensibly simplify my plans and buy a cheaper holiday. Why won't the LDA simplify their plans for the park. We don't need an all singing all dancing park. We just want some green space to enjoy. People who say that the park is derelict obviously rarely go there. In summer it is always full of families enjoying a bit of green space away from city life.

Of course the park needs maintenance and Bromley has not maintained it properly. Why should we local people pay the price for their negligence by watching our park being destroyed by concrete greed.?

- Rosemary Collumb, Crystal Palace Resident

I attended Bromley's shameful meeting when they voted to allow building on MOL land in Crystal Palace Park. The ignorance of some of our councillors absolutely shocked me. They seemed to be swayed by some rather illogical notions. One of the LDA speakers claimed that he found it difficult to find his way out of the park. I doubt if he could find his way out of a paper bag! Amazingly everybody agreed that it would be wonderful to give the Anerly residents a park view but nobody seemed to notice that, at the same time, they were taking our park view, on Crystal Palace Park Road. away from us. Such was the wonderful logic of this meeting.
Another very important point to make is that, although the park does need some loving care and attention, it certainly is not in the state of disrepair that the LDA would like us to believe. This park boasts some very old beautiful trees and although the number of trees was discussed there was no mention of the quality of trees that might be destroyed for the sake of 'progress'. There were certain suggestions of alternative routes for the bats to fly in and out of the park but nobody told us how to explain all this to the bats. The LDA again stated that their plan would release many acres back into the park but they still did not say how this miracle is possible or how much they had already wasted on 'consultation'
Thank you to the famous five who voted against this travesty.
Bromley can no longer boast of being CLEAN and GREEN!

- Geraldine Cowan, London SE26

As someone who was very actively involved in the demonstrations against the previous madcap development schemes of the late 1990s, this news has come as a great disappointment. The caravan park along Crystal Palace Parade has been separate for quite a few years now, but the proposed housing project due to take place around the Penge gate entrance sounds rather alarming, to say the least. What is the specific location of this development? How will it affect the existing cafe opposite the public toilets or the old gorilla statue? How about the piece of land which hosts the annual Victorian Fair or the tree-lined walkway leading to the Sports Arena? Will any of this be retained?

- Troy Southgate, Upper Norwood, London

I can't believe most of the comments posted here, they are way off the mark. Firstly this is nothing to do with Boris selling off park land. I'm no tory believe me, and this scheme was instigated under Ken. Over several years a series of public consultations have been held to decide what to do with Crystal Palace Park. The scheme which has just been approved is the result of these public consultations. The proposals represent the wish of the majority of the local community. Fair enough no one really wants to see houses built on park land, but the areas in question are not accessible to the public, and have previously been built on. The scheme will result in there being an overall increase in green space, as large areas of tarmac and disgusting concrete walkways are going to be removed. As no-one is just going to cough up the millions required to make some much needed improvements then we have to be pragmatic about it all. Although the money raised will only cover about a half of the local park improvements if match funded by the LDA at least this is a start - we need to get the ball rolling.

- Jonny, Crystal Palace, London

The Park was great when motor-racing took place there-I went to the last race-but the best use would be to build a new Crystal Palace as suggested-private housing in a park tho is a disgraceful idea.

- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK

I loved going to see the dinosaurs and i look forward to seeing the new farm which has just opened. If a small amount of residential development around the edges helps to improve the park which is currently in a sorry state then it must be good! Make it happen-its been too long since there was anything done.

- Ruth, London UK

It is finally becoming clear to all concerned that a financial driver is needed to fund the LDA masterplan. The unpopular housing option will provide a very small one off payment which will leave us in the same 'cap in hand' position in a year's time.

Ray Hall's proposal to build a new Crystal Palace is universally popular (only 5 of the 1700 people visiting a local exhibition were against the scheme) It would provide ongoing funding for the park. At the same time it would provide entertainment, educational and sporting facilities. The 1000 jobs it would produce has got to persuade any doubters that it makes perfect sense.
The only opposition to the scheme comes from a small but vociferous group of people, the Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA) Their waterloo came at the Bromley Planning meeting last week. They had threatened Bromley with so many supporters that Bromley opened up two extra chamber rooms to accomodate them all. In fact their members could not even fill the public gallery and Bromley, recognising practically all of them, realised once and for all that they do not speak for the community at all.

Their adamant insistence that there will be no new Crystal Palace and Tramlink in the park flies in the face of community oppinion and they should not be allowed to say otherwise. Our young people need something to do - somewhere to go. A new Crystal Palace would regenerate our area overnight and provide us with the facilities we need.

- Sue Nagle, Crystal Palace

Since when was a caravan park an irrevocable loss of parkland. There doesn't seem to any mention that parkland will actually be increased quite substantially with the approved masterplan.

Crystal Palace park is a long neglected park that if it was in a more salubrious part of London would not have been allowed to get into the state it is, with the remains of Paxtons grand terraces on a slow path to deterioration . The loss of a private caravan park that will bring much needed funds,lacking from elsewhere will allow this grand old park to bring it back to a decent standard for the whole of London to enjoy.

There have been plenty of years for detractors of the plan to come up with another solution but, despite all the rhetoric have come up with nothing.

- A Quinn, Crystal Palace

So Boris gives the go-ahead for houses while cancelling the Tramlink extension which would cost a fraction of the money he is wasteing on a bus competition.

Looks like those in outer London who voted for Boris will be getting loads of new neighbours given all the bits of wasteland out there!

This scheme is what happens when the conservation lobby prevents development in inner London.

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

As Crystal Palace already has an athletics track, pool and stadium - what's the betting that the second track and poolare never built - and that the allocated space is found to be better utilised for additional housing ....?

- Athletic'S Fan, London

The housing is not on an OLD caravan site, it is on the new fully functioning caravan site. Once the houses are built what's the likelihood of the non-profit making improvements to the park being shelved due to the credit crunch? This is what you get for voting for right-wing conservatives like Boris Johnson.

- Mick, London, England

A development of the park is much needed, however the plan approved has only an injection of cash at the beginning of the project via some (much questionable) sale of land for construction. Furthermore it is not clear if this cash injection will actually be sufficient to develop the park.
There is no clear indication by LDA on how the park will be able to self-fund itself or where the money will come from. The suggested funds may as well be able to cover (with big question marks) the initial costs for the development but maintenance and sustainability of the park land is only in the hands of Bromley Council.

- Luca, Crystal Palace

For goodness sake! How many people on here making negative comments actually live in the area and know what state the park is in? I'm glad that this plan has received initial planning permission. It may not be perfect but it's a darned site better than the alternative i.e. leave the park to degenerate further for another decade. The new houses are going to be built on land that isn't even currently accessible to local park users so we're not going to be any worse off.

- Julie, Crystal Palace

Boris Johnson as gone to far with this.how dare he destroy a historic park.he as lied by saying saving green spaces.

- Andy, London

To Carl, London,

You must be walking around a different park, or you have your eyes closed! Crystal Palace Park is packed full of features. Firstly, it has acres of open space for people to make use of, for picnics, for games, for children to play. There are miles of wide paths ideal for walking, cycling, skateboarding and rollerblading and which are in almost constant use by people engaged in those activities. The park features a very large and well maintained children’s playground, a café open year-round, well maintained ornamental lakes and the world-famous model dinosaur display, a college of animal husbandry and farm management which has its own zoo open to the public most days of the week. It has a wonderful tree-lined boulevard which in summer months also hosts shows and rides for children, and a lot of families making the most of the open space. It has a programme of events, such as concerts in the open-air concert bowl, fun fairs, and many exhibitions and enthusiast group gatherings. It even has its own museum (open weekends only!). It has a well-maintained maze. A railway station just 8 stops from Victoria. How many parks outside of the centre of London can claim all these features?

For anyone who thinks the caravan park in the northern corner is derelict or under-used go and take a look. It is extremely well maintained and is in regular use by a large number of caravans and mobile homes and is the only caravan park within London’s boundaries.

- David Kay, Crystal Palace, London

This is not a Boris thing - the whole consulting process was carried out by the LDA with the consent and backing of Ken. The resulting masterplan results in MORE not less green space available to the public as most of the housing sites in question are currently a caravan park.

The park is in decline and will continue to do so unless investment is forthcoming. A large percentage of the local population (including myself) see the provision of housing as an acceptable sacrifice to secure the future of the park. Those who oppose the developement have failed to offer any alternative proposals.

- Phil., london

Will someone please think of the CHILDREN?!

- S Puppet, High Wycombe

Build 180 private houses? At the start of a recession? How daft is that?

- Austen, London

It must be powerfully hindered and stopped. This is a disgraceful decision, and all to make only a few people rich. How much is Boris getting as a kick-back?

- Wq (Ex Pat), Frankfurt, Germany

Far more effective use of the space than an unused caravan site and much better for the community than the ghastly multiplex that was originally proposed.

- Ty, Beckenham

Disgusting-literally nowhere in this overcrowded country is now safe from property developers-Government and private alike-the South East is becoming one horrendous concrete jungle.

- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK

Parks are there to attract people. For those of you who have commented adversely I would suggest you take a walk around the current Crystal Palace Park and then report if there is anything of interest to anybody other than dog walkers.
I for one am happy that the park is getting funding in this way. The decay in the park has spread out to encompass Crystal Palace itself and hopefully a rejuvenation in the park would result in a rejuvenation in the surrounding areas.
I'll take my children to the new park, which is something I wouldn't do now.

- Carl, London

Why is everyone so negative? One of the housing sites is an old caravan site anyway. This scheme will renovate the park, and boy does it need it.

- James, London

Boris Johnson cannot be trusted, he has gone back on his word to Londoners on protecting green spaces. Londoners need more open spaces not less.

- Maggie, London

Boris cocks up again!

- Roger Purchase, Bromley, UK

Say goodbye to the colour green in London, this will be the legacy of this recession, after all, all of that throwing money at the problem has to be financed somehow, won't it?

- Bob, Cheam

Think your comments are overblown there Phil, the park looks pretty much intact to me and being from the area concerned something had to be done. Just get on with it.

- Paul Hopkins, London, England

Disgusting.

- Stephen, London

Regent's Park, then Hyde Park. The developers were just waiting for a government desperate enough to start the fire sale of London's splendid parkland. The glorious parkland -- one of the last vestiges of London that the greedy developers couldn't get their hands on now being sacrificed. Crystal Palace is just the start.

- Phil Jones, London UK

Add your comment