January 2009:
The Government Office for London (GOL) and LDA Park application

Following grant of approval by the London Borough of Bromley on 9 December 2008 to the LDA Crystal Palace Park ‘Masterplan’ application, the CPCA and others requested GOL to call in the application for public inquiry.

As the proposals for development on Metropolitan Open Land and protected parkland are contrary to policies in Bromley’s UDP, this is known as a 'Departure Application' and Bromley must refer it to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Call-in criteria apply when the application:

- proposes the building of 150 houses or more,
- is on land owned by a local authority,
- conflicts with UDP policies,
- develops housing on any Greenfield site of 5 hectares or more,
- involves building housing at a density of 30 dwellings per hectare or less,
- raises significant effects beyond the immediate locality,
- has serious urban design issues,
- gives rise to substantial regional controversy.

All these criteria apply to the LDA Park Masterplan application.

GOL has confirmed that: "…the proposed residential development in the Park would represent a departure from Bromley’s Unitary Development Plan. Therefore before a planning application was permitted, it would automatically fall to be referred to the Secretary of State to enable her to consider whether it raised matters of more than local importance, such that she should call it in for her own decision following a public inquiry."

GOL Planning Division has advised the CPCA that the interruption for the Christmas break meant a decision on call-in could not be issued within the statutory 21-day period after referral. GOL has therefore issued an Article 14 direction to Bromley Council to prevent planning permission being issued unless authorised by the Secretary of State. This is a mechanism to allow the Secretary of State as much time as she needs to reach a decision. The new target date for a decision is 28 January 2009.

The CPCA's letter to GOL requesting call-in is linked here.

[back to top]

Latest stories

CPCA responds to Bromley's 'Core Strategy' consultation Posted - December 2011

The London Borough of Bromley has begun the process of producing their 'Core Strategy' document for the Borough. This document will help determine the long-term planning strategy for the Borough and its conclusions will be incorporated into their Local Development Framework (LDF) - a replacement for the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

>> Full story here

Upper Norwood Library faces closure and sale after Croydon withdraw funding Posted - November 2011

The unilateral decision by Croydon Council to 'terminate' the Upper Norwood Library Joint Agreement was, according to Croydon, the direct consequence of '...fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth Council'. Such breach, according to Croydon, was the refusal by Lambeth Council 'to attend the last Annual General Meeting and failing to co-operate at the 2010 meeting.'

>> Full story here

Re-run AGM farce as Croydon refuses to honour Joint Library Agreement Posted - September 2011

Croydon Council's continuing failure to meet the terms of their partnership agreement with Lambeth Council, caused yet another meeting of The Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee to be abandoned last Thursday, the 15 September, when more than seventy people attended the Library Annual General Meeting, where the future of the 111-year old Library was to be considered.

>> Full story here

CPCA to challenge Secretary of State's approval for 180 luxury flats in Crystal Palace Park Posted - January 2011

Following the Secretary of State's Formal Decision to grant planning permission to the LDA Masterplan application for Crystal Palace Park, the CPCA have been advised that there are powerful legal grounds to challenge this in the High Court. It is currently preparing evidence and other material to tight deadlines and urgently considering the matter of costs.

>> Full story here

Park sell out goes ahead as Secretary of State gives ok for luxury housing on Crystal Palace Park Posted - August 2010

Following a 6 week local public inquiry last year, and despite concerted opposition, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (the S of S) has endorsed the Inspector's report and is 'minded' to grant permission to the planning application for the LDA Masterplan.

>> Full story here

LDA Park master plan - a poison chalice? Posted - July 2010

Together with the long awaited publication of the Report to the Secretary of State by the Inspector Alan Novitzky on the LDA Masterplan Application for Crystal Palace Park, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that under his Proposals for Devolution, the LDA will cease to exist.

>> Full story here

Hundreds celebrate library 110-year anniversary Posted - July 2010

The Upper Norwood Library, which opened on July 4th 1900, celebrated its 110-year anniversary on 4th and 5th of July 2010, with hundreds taking part in the celebrations.

The July 4th American Independence theme was reflected in the boots and stetsons sported by visitors enjoying Hillbilly musicians, a whip-cracker, jugglers, a stilt-walker, an escapologist, can-can dancers, a Punch and Judy show, and a flea-circus, all equally popular with parents and children.

>> Full story here

What is the Upper Norwood Joint Library? Posted - July 2010

The Upper Norwood Joint Library (UNJL) serves a well-defined and diverse local community; a catchment area that encompasses elements of no fewer than 5 local authorities. It is a unique 'bespoke' service, managed by its own Joint Committee, which is comprised of four councillors from each of the two boroughs (Croydon and Lambeth) that financially support the library, together with two community representatives. However, uncertainties of funding and governance have persistently plagued the library over many years.

>> Full story here

Croydon Leader's letter threatens Library's future Posted - July 2010

During acrimonious exchanges between Lambeth and Croydon Councillors at the Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee AGM on 30th June 2010, Croydon Cllr Sara Bashford (Selsdon and Ballards and Cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport), with impeccable timing, said Croydon is not trying to control the UNJL committee to implement cuts.

>> Full story here

The Upper Norwood Library - Croydon's political football Posted - July 2010

In a remarkable demonstration of solidarity, campaigners fighting for the future of 110-year-old Upper Norwood Library packed the main chamber of the Salvation Army Hall, Westow Street, on Wednesday 30th June 2010 for the AGM of the Upper Norwood Library Joint Committee.

>> Full story here

Older news
Please see our Archive pages