(R73) CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN - IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE - 2 July 2002


BROMLEY LEADER WELCOMES “POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE”
CRYSTAL PALACE WORKSHOP


The Leader of Bromley Council, Councillor Michael Tickner, has warmly welcomed the success of last Saturday’s independently facilitated workshop on the future of the Crystal Palace Park site. The meeting at Battersea, initiated and sponsored by the Crystal Palace Campaign, involved over 50 representatives from interested local groups and 5 London boroughs. From Bromley, the Leader was joined by Councillor John Canvin, Councillor Chris Gaster and Mr Robbie Stoakes, Director of Leisure and Community Services.

At the meeting all issues were identified and it was agreed that there would be further discussion on what should be developed on the site and how the park should be managed in the future. There will be further talks about the process for finding a way forward and consultations will start afresh. It was clear that there are many differing views amongst the organisations that were represented. Some are happy with commercial development, some want a mixed public and private sector development, and others favour no development at all.

Councillor Tickner said: “I was delighted to attend this well-organised, positive and constructive meeting, at which the diverse views of local groups were clearly identified. I am confident that this can provide a positive framework for new thinking. I will now be asking for a meeting of the existing Crystal Palace Partnership to discuss the next stage of the consultation process, to move the agenda forward, and to address concerns identified. Despite the differences of opinion I am hopeful that the work of an independent facilitator could reveal where the majority view lies.”

Bromley Council is committed to improving the site, and is spending £4 ½ million on the Park (£3 ½ million of which is from the Heritage Lottery Fund), including restoring the world-famous dinosaurs and creating a new woodland garden.

ENDS

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2/7/02 Last updated 2/7/02