(R56) CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN - IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE - 17 April 2001
THIS SATURDAY: PUBLIC MEETING CHALLENGE TO ELECTION CANDIDATES TO HALT CRYSTAL PALACE MULTIPLEX

At least 10 would-be MPs in the next parliament face a pre-election challenge to halt the unwanted Crystal Palace 20-screen multiplex at a public meeting this Saturday in Dulwich. Previous public meetings have drawn over 1500 local residents.

The invited candidates have agreed to answer three questions including whether they support legislation to transfer control of the historic Park from Bromley Council to the London Mayor and the Greater London Authority.

The Crystal Palace Campaign seeks the same commitment from the next crop of MPs as that given last year by London Mayoral candidates across the political spectrum. They will be expected to deliver the way Mayor Ken Livingstone has lived up to his pledge to do all in his power to halt the multiplex development.

The issue has been given greater impetus by the April 9 Commons First Reading of a Bill proposing the Crystal Palace transfer to the GLA, introduced by Geraint Davies, MP for Croydon Central (Lab). Mr Davies will be attending, as will other MPs seeking re-election, including Tessa Jowell, Jim Dowd, Malcolm Wicks, (Dulwich & W Norwood, Lewisham W, & Croydon N-- all Lab). Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Green prospective candidates from seven constituencies adjacent to the park have also been invited.

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

Crystal Palace Campaign Public Meeting
10.45 am Saturday, 21 April at Kingsdale School, Alleyn Park, SE21

The Campaign has invited all Conservative, Labour, Lib-Dem and Green candidates from Dulwich & West Norwood, Lewisham East, Lewisham West, Beckenham, Croydon North, Croydon Central and Streatham

Each candidate has received three questions, which they have agreed to answer at the meeting:

  1. If elected, will you promote a Bill to transfer Crystal Palace Park to the Greater London Authority and to prevent its use for cinemas, pubs, a bowling alley, an amusement arcade, a nightclub, a casino, a bingo hall or similar uses?
  2. If elected, will you seek the revocation of the planning permission for the multiplex on the grounds of lack of environmental assessment, to resolve the European Commission’s complaint?
  3. If elected, will you work to bring the community and funding agencies together to seek an environmentally sensitive future for Crystal Palace Park?

Press Officer: Fred Emery 020 8761 0076 Mobile: 0794 117 202
All correspondence to: Hon Secretary, 33 HogarthCourt, Fountain Drive, London SE19 1U
E-mail: fred@syre.demon.co.uk Website: www.crystal.dircon.co.uk

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17/4/01 Last updated 17/4/01