(L.17) Now it's time to have our say..... regeneration for real! (17 June 2001)
CONTENTS:
Regeneration
Frequently
Asked Questions
Consultation
Starts Here
(please take a few minutes to fill in the questionnaire)
Be Part of the
Future of the Park - Questionnaire
After four years of passionate protest from thousands of local people, Bromley Council has finally conceded defeat. Now the real job of regenerating this sadly neglected park begins.
Crystal Palace Campaign Chairman, Philip Kolvin comments: (see also CPC press release 11/5/01)
"Bromley's capitulation is a victory for the local community, a tribute to the tens of thousands of people who stood together for what they knew to be right in the face of aggression and greed. I want Crystal Palace to stand as a symbol of what can be achieved when ordinary people unite. Let it be a lesson to those, be they councils or corporations who believe they can ignore the human voice. I say once more: parks are for people, they are the birthright of the citizen - as Bromley has learned to its, and its council taxpayers' enormous expense.The Crystal Palace Campaign will now be inviting the London Mayor, the five local authorities surrounding the park (including Bromley) and all local people to work together to plan a sustainable future for Crystal Palace Park: a future which recognises its environmental value, its precious historic past, and its residential environs. We trust that as the past four years have been bitter the next four will be sweet. As the old Palace burned, Winston Churchill said he mourned the end of an era. Today, we celebrate the start of a new era for Crystal Palace."
Now the real job of regenerating this sadly neglected park begins.
The Crystal Palace Campaign makes two pledges: to do all in its power to ensure that local people are consulted meaningfully on the future of the Park; and, with representatives from the whole community, to deliver your vision. A charitable trust could be formed to do this. It would need the help of national, regional and local government, and also the funding agencies. But most of all we need your help. It is your views that count. Tell us what they are, so that together we can plan a sustainable future. The Park is not out of danger yet. Please fill in the Survey below.
Was there advance knowledge of Bromley's retreat?
No. We heard strong whispers that both sides wanted to pull out, but each was afraid to do so in case they were sued. We believed that the licensing result, where we achieved severe limitations on liquor sales in the building, did huge damage, as did the continuing adverse publicity caused by the attack on UCI by the Boycott UCI Group and the CPC. Despite denials, we knew UCI itself was desperate to get out, and we could not believe how this huge scheme could be built when smaller schemes were failing in better locations all around the country. But none of us knew about the deadlines in the agreement between Bromley and L&RP, kept secret till the last from the council tax payers who have to foot the bill for this vain folly.
Have Bromley seen the light?
No. All statements from Bromley have made it clear that they are very disappointed to lose this scheme. We shall try to bring Bromley into discussion with our community about a sustainable future for the Park. We hope that they will start to work with us. If not, it is business as usual for the Crystal Palace Campaign until they do.
Is it possible for another developer to take over the planning permission?
Theoretically, yes. That is why we will continue to work to revoke it for example through the European Commission. The Government has responded to the EC letter, rejecting the complaint at the lack of environmental assessment before planning permission was granted. We have asked the Commission to take its complaint to the next stage, which is an Opinion from the Advocate General. This is the last step before legal action in the European Court.
Does Bromley's Unitary Development Plan still matter?
Very much indeed. It still contains long term aspirations for the whole park. Unless we are successful in challenging the Bromley Plan, the Park will remain vulnerable to major development.
How are you funding this consultation?
We rely entirely on public donations. which are gratefully received. No member of the Crystal Palace Campaign has ever been paid for their work.
Does the Crystal Palace Campaign support any particular scheme?
No! Contrary to some news reports, the Crystal Palace questionnaire is not suggesting any particular option for Crystal Palace Park. The questionnaire sets out to list, impartially, a complete spectrum of possibilities.
Please take a few minutes to fill in the questionnaire below.
For four years, Bromley's refusal to negotiate has fostered a crude take-it-or-leave-it debate: a multiplex or a derelict space. In reality there is a vast spectrum of possibilities. In this questionnaire, we want to consider this spectrum and start the consultation process. After analysing the answers, we will draw up a series of broad "concept drawings" for further consultation, and so on until we have consensus. Then, in partnership with the London Mayor, the five boroughs and local groups, we will work to make the dream happen.
|
This is a single park but it has four distinct areas, and we want your views on each one.
|
|
In the questionnaire in the column "Types of regeneration" is listed a spectrum of possibilities. These are not exhaustive, but are an indication of what might be done:
BE PART OF THE FUTURE OF THE PARK
HELP US TO PUT WEIGHT BEHIND THE PROCESS!
A few notes: In each box of the table below, simply click on the "Yes", "No" or "No opinion" buttons. Some table elements do not have this response list if it is not appropriate. Please fill in some further items after the table including whatever you think may help, or hasn't been covered, in the "Any further comments" text box. Some editing is possible but if you wish to start again click on the "Clear whole form" button. Finally click on the "Submit" button and the questionnaire will automatically be forwarded to the Crystal Palace Campaign. Note that all information will ultimately be held in an electronic database but will not be released to third parties (except in the form of the analysis which will not include personal details). We are registered under the Data Protection Act 1984: No. PX391351X.
If there are any problems, errors or general queries e-mail the webmaster.
If you wish to send this form by post - print out the filled in form and send it to:
Crystal Palace Campaign, 33 Hogarth Court, Fountain Drive, London SE19 1UY
Or put it into CPC collection boxes located as follows:
Upper Norwood - Library,
Bookseller Crow, Safeway
Sydenham - Safeway, Kirkdale Bookshop
Penge - Library, Homebase, Sainsbury's
Anerley - Library
Croxted Road - Dulwich Books
Beckenham - Library
Top
of Page;
Go to
Legal Index;
17/6/01 Last updated 18/6/01; 20/6/01 minor formats;3/12/01 submit disabled.
