Homes plan in park corner opposed

Val Shawcross says local people "want action"

Plans to build homes on one corner of an historic park have been opposed in a public consultation by the users of the area and local residents.

But the study found the London Development Agency's (LDA) plans to spend £100m on revamping Crystal Palace Park had majority support.

Almost half of the 2,561 surveyed wanted only shops and cafes to be built near the Crystal Palace Triangle.

Plans to create homes on other corners did not receive such opposition.

The LDA had proposed 30 flats, out of a total of 200, would be built near the triangle, along with a piazza of cafes and shops.

Why build more shops when existing shops aren't filled Melvyn Harrison Crystal Palace Foundation

The money made from this residential development could pay for a 150-space car park beneath, or ploughed back into the park.

But these options had greater opposition than the plan without housing.

Melvyn Harrison of the Crystal Palace Foundation said he was against all the housing proposals and plans to remove the caravan park as it bought "international visitors".

He added: "The triangle is hardly a thriving shopping centre as it is, it's more like one big bistro. So why build more shops when existing shops aren't filled?"

Some 80% of respondents said they agreed with the overall vision for the park, which would see park space grow by 39 acres.

'Run-down feel'

Almost two-thirds backed replacing the existing caravan park with a housing complex, nursery and walled garden.

Improving the lower lake area was backed by 82% of respondents and 77% thought replacing the existing sports centre was probably the right thing to do.

Val Shawcross, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark said: "These results show that local people want action. For too long, Crystal Palace Park has been under-used, with areas that feel run-down or unsafe.

She acknowledged opposition to the triangle proposals adding that this would be addressed.

The London Development Agency will now analyse the results and use this to shape further proposals.