(R50) CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN -
URGENT MEDIA RELEASE - 5 February 2001
An injunction was granted late Friday to prevent Bromley Council and multiplex developer London & Regional Properties Ltd, or their contractors or agents, from felling some 150 trees on the Crystal Palace Park site.
Mr Justice Grigson granted the injunction to lawyers acting for Diane Barker, of Anerley, South London, who, with legal aid, is pursuing her action for judicial review of Bromley’s planning permission before the Court of Appeal on February 15.
Arguments on the injunction are set to be heard in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday February 6.
The background to the injunction was that Bromley Council and London & Regional Properties refused to give undertakings that they would not proceed with a plan to fell the trees before all legal issues had been resolved.
Activists on Saturday attached copies of the injunction to railings around the site.
Note to Editors:
CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN - URGENT MEDIA RELEASE - 6 February 2001
APPEAL COURT EXTENDS INJUNCTION AGAINST BROMLEY, CRYSTAL PALACE DEVELOPER
The Court of Appeal today extended the injunction, granted last Friday, to prevent Bromley Council and multiplex developer London & Regional Properties Ltd, or their contractors or agents, from felling some 150 trees on the Crystal Palace Park site. Bromley Council conceded in court that a secret plan had existed to fell the trees before the nesting season began March 1 – something the council’s officers had repeatedly refused to acknowledge.
Lord Justice Dyson agreed with lawyers acting for Diane Barker, of Anerley, South London, that tree felling on the site would prejudice her legal action against Bromley. Ms Barker, with legal aid, is pursuing her action for judicial review of the council’s planning permission before the Court of Appeal on Thursday February 8. The injunction against Bromley and L&RP expires Thursday 2pm, but could be further continued. Originally Ms Barker’s hearing had been listed for February 15 but has now been brought forward to 10.30am, February 8.
The background to the injunction was that Bromley Council and London & Regional Properties repeatedly refused to give undertakings that they would not proceed with a plan to fell the trees before all legal issues had been resolved.
In the Court of Appeal today, lawyers for Bromley and L &RP complained that the legal actions were causing serious difficulties for the multiplex project. Mr Gregory Stone, QC, for Bromley, said that were felling delayed beyond the March 1 start of the nesting season there would be “considerable delays”. For L&RP, Mr Matthew Horton QC complained that the injunction was neither properly made nor properly ordered. “What might be the next possible action by Ms Barker or the Crystal Palace Campaign!” he exclaimed. Mr Horton also disclosed to the Court that L&RP have not yet completed their lease arrangements with Bromley Council, who thus remain responsible for the site and the trees.
Note to Editors:
Press Officer: Fred Emery 020 8761 0076 Mobile: 0794 117 2023
All correspondence to: Hon Secretary, 33 HogarthCourt, Fountain Drive, London SE19 1UY
E-mail: fred@syre.demon.co.uk Website: www.crystal.dircon.co.uk
6/2/01 Last updated
6/2/01