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Crystal Palace homes scheme goes to minister
Mira Bar-Hillel2 Feb 2009
plans by the Mayor's London Development Agency to build 180 homes in Crystal Palace Park will be decided by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, it was announced today.
Bromley council approved the plan to build in the Grade II-listed park last month. Boris Johnson added his support in spite of his election manifesto pledge to protect green spaces.
The Government Office for London said: "The Secretary of State is of the opinion that this application is one that she ought to decide herself because she considers that the proposal may conflict with national and regional policies on important matters."
John Payne, chairman of the Crystal Palace Community Association, said: "We are encouraged that Ms Blears has called the application in.
"For the first time proper scrutiny may now be applied to the LDA application."
A public inquiry will now be held by a government-appointed inspector, after which Ms Blears will make the final decision.
Reader views (7)
Our group has been consulting on the park for twelve years. OUr consultation has shown beyond doubt that the majority of local people would not have any problem with the building that conceived and named the park - the Crystal Palace. A scheme which would build such a Crystal Palace. It would be run under a charitable trust and would provide much needed entertainment, sporting and leisure facilities and 1000 jobs. A new Crystal Palace would pay proper tribute to the town's grand heritage and would be welcomed by most of the local community. In spite of this huge support, the LDA's consultation would not even consider it. The people are heartened to hear that the plans have been called in as the LDA had planned to build or I should say plant a tree Crystal Palace with hardstanding for car parking underneath on the world famous site. Most local residents would not want flats in the park but would celebrate the building of a new Crystal Palace.
- Suzanne nagle, crystal palace, 03/02/2009 21:32
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Crystal Palace Park has already been the subject of the longest and most costly consultations in English history. The park is in desperate need of TLC but the residential development scheme (some £15m) will be a one off revenue earner that will not begin to cover the money required for the park improvements (some £67m). Any solution needs to be commercially viable of course, but why should housing be built to benefit a few, when a New Crystal Palace could be built to benefit many? Hosted under a charitable trust, a New Crystal Palace will ensure payment for the park improvements, ongoing maintenance, create over 1000 jobs and give South London truly something to be proud of. Also, with the New Crystal Palace, the caravan park is assured.
- Hannah B, Crystal Palace, 03/02/2009 18:12
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Bromley Council wasted £millions last time a study for Development was done here now it looks as if they have sold out again to the Developers.Road network is awful in this part of SE London so building more homes in this Conservation Area Park simply adds to the problem.
- Mike, London England, 03/02/2009 09:56
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Build these homes for our senior citizens so that they can enjoy the park and spent their twilight years in a beautiful setting, not for the small group who will be able to afford them. What a great gift that would be. Won't happen though.
- Jl, London, 02/02/2009 18:00
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The go ahead should be only given if the tramlink extension to Crystal Palace which was cancelled by Boris is built concurrently with this development.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 02/02/2009 17:34
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A private caravan park or improvements to a grade II listed park renounced nationally & internationally. Tough choice.
Nice to see even more money spent on consultations & public inquires that could have been spent on the park and now there is to be another years delay.
- A Quinn, Crystal Palace, 02/02/2009 17:32
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Not only is this a Grade-II listed park, but the area concerned contains an important tourist haven for National & International caravanning within Bus rides of central London. Has this attraction also been addressed?
What price range would these properties be aimed at, THE SUPER RICH!!
- Doug Cull, Horley.Sy., 02/02/2009 16:24
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