Majority approval for outline Masterplan  application  18 December 2008

"Madam Chairman, Members and Officers:

From the CPCA Letter of Objection and your officers' report, it is quite clear that the LDA application fails to comply with MOL legislation, Bromley UDP, the Mayor’s London Plan and statutory planning policy. While supporting the principle of improvements to Crystal Palace Park, the CPCA strongly opposes sale of public parkland for private housing.

Bromley’s only Grade II* Registered Park is held in trust for the use and enjoyment of its taxpayers and Park stakeholders. Before approving the disposal of precious public parkland, Bromley should consider the LDA’s financial commitment to this Park.

Despite their substantial financial resources, the LDA have publicly stated "The long-term implementation costs of the Master planning designs for the Park will need to be found from a mix of public and public money. The public contribution will be limited. This means that any large-scale works would need commercial investment".

The LDA has previously said it will fund basic Park improvements by selling areas of parkland for blocks of luxury flats. Will this be the way public parks are funded in the future?

Bromley DCC members had previously expressed strong concerns on the housing proposals where Councillor Adams said "we shouldn’t be selling parkland for housing… it really is a dangerous precedent". Bromley Planning Department records confirm the level of public opposition to housing in the Park, as does the LDA's own stakeholder consultation, the 85% opposition to housing in a newspaper poll, and the 7000 signature petition to the London Mayor.

In an attempt to stifle overwhelming public objection, the LDA retained public relations consultants 'local dialogue' whose cynical remit was given on their website as "to maximise support for the scheme and to minimise opposition."

All four neighbouring Boroughs are opposed to the sale of public parkland for private housing;

Lewisham "is not convinced there are 'very special circumstances' which would justify this notable reduction of MOL and the large number of homes that would be built on this MOL".

Southwark said "The proposal would result in substantial new residential development on MOL and on land adjoining MOL".

Croydon Planning Committee expressed its concerns to Bromley about "…the principle of residential development on MOL, and in particular the Rockhills residential scheme".

Lambeth Council warn "...there is real concern that such a proposal would cause a precedent for other MOL in London".

To allow housing on MOL the LDA must demonstrate 'very special circumstances' which, in the view of the CPCA, they have so far failed to do. Falsely and misleadingly, the LDA claims that publicly accessible parkland will be increased. The Park is defined as that land within its boundaries, the nature and use of which can change at any time. Construction of 8, four and five-storey blocks of luxury flats will be irrecoverable loss of precious public parkland.

Nicholas Pearson Associates were commissioned by Bromley Council to review the LDA’s Environmental Statement. They identify the unsubstantiated statements and highlight 44 issues that require clarification from the LDA before a decision can be made. Pearson Associates warn that if the Environmental Statement does not include the full environmental information required, any planning permission granted runs the risk of being quashed. They quote case law supporting this.

The CPCA urges members of this committee to abandon party politics, use their initiative to respect the concerns of their constituents who oppose housing, refuse this application and insist that the LDA return with a more moderate and sustainable scheme that does not rely upon, as a funding strategy, the sale of protected parkland for commercial exploitation. If large areas of our parks are sold off for housing, future generations may ask who were they that allowed this desecration of our heritage".

"If we allow building on the site of the old palace we would be destroying one of the most significant Victorian sites in the country and destroying the valuable archaeology of our heritage."

"…completely against the proposed destruction of Ledrington Road Green, directly behind residents' houses and within the conservation area."

"...The LDA wants to build accommodation for Capel Manor students there, which would be a completely unwanted and unnecessary building. The people I represent will take this to judicial review if necessary."

"...astounded by the lack of thought this financial plan has had. The costing estimate of £67 million does not include professional fees or VAT. When everything is added up it will be well in excess of £110 million".

"If permission is given for this to proceed and the LDA walks away if it cannot find the money, what's to stop a private investor buying them out and we get the luxury flats, but none of the other improvements?"

"There are eight types of rare bat species in Crystal Palace Park. The LDA plans to fell 473 trees to make way for new building and land clearance. If these tree are cut down, bats will be forced out of the dark and their natural habitat."