London Development Agency (LDA) plans to build housing on parts of Crystal Palace Park to offset costs of the park’s redevelopment have provoked protests from those opposed to the scheme.
The LDA claims the £10m to £15m raised from building homes at the Sydenham and Rockhills entrances to the park is necessary to offset some of the estimated £100m cost of redeveloping the park.
However a 7,000 signature petition has been presented to London mayor Ken Livingston by Green Party assembly leader, Darren Johnson.
Campaigners carried placards to highlight their feelings about the proposals to build homes on Crystal Palace Park. Messages on the signs included “Livingstone! Look and listen” and “No to private housing on a public park”.
The petition comes after 80% of the 2,500 people who took part in the public consultation were in favour of the developments.
John Payne, chairman of the Crystal Palace Community Association, said: “The idea we can finance essential work in our parks by selling them piecemeal is as crazy as trying to pay for your medical care by selling your organs.”
An LDA spokesman said: “We are not planning to build housing on accessible parts of Crystal Palace Park and are committed to increase the amount of green open space in the park.
“When we asked people about our plans to renew Crystal Palace Park, most people supported the proposals which included some house building on the two sites.
“These sites are an enclosed caravan park and an area where houses were bombed during the Second World War. Neither of these sites are currently accessible to the public.
“We will continue to talk to supporters and opponents of these plans. Together, we can secure more open green space, better access and a revitalised park.”
References: EGi News 22/06/06
