Unitary Development Plan
(First Deposit Draft)
New Threat from
Bromley
Bromley Council has just published
its Unitary Development Plan (UDP). It amounts to a declaration of
war on the Crystal Palace community. But the Crystal Palace Campaign
is objecting to the Plan. The objections will be heard at a public
inquiry, the first time in four years that our opposition to Bromley
will be independently assessed.
The Plan, if not overruled, will
govern all planning applications in Bromley for the next 10 years.
It:
- REMOVES the Metropolitan Open
Land designation of the top-site, terming it "disused land" ripe
for "mixed uses" for "leisure and recreational development, with
associated food and drink premises, in conjunction with the
existing bus station"
- DESIGNATES the Sports Centre as
a "Major Developed Site" while increasing its borders so that it
almost entirely severs the park and runs near to the foot of the
terracing. This will facilitate not just refurbishment but new
buildings in the Park.
Until now, the whole Park has been
designated Metropolitan Open Land, which gives it the same protection
as Green Belt. Bromley's proposals strip away that protection. They
mean that even if the multiplex is defeated, the Park will be a
sitting duck for major development forever.
Copies of the UDP can be
obtained free of charge from Bromley on 0208 313 4730 or can be
read in local libraries.
Objections to Bromley's Unitary
Development Plan
What is a Unitary Development
Plan?
It is a book of planning policies
for the borough in general and for specific sites within the
Borough.
What effect does it
have?
Decisions on planning applications
are taken in accordance with the Plan. It is very hard to object to
any proposal which complies with the Plan. It is equally hard to get
permission for a development which doesn't.
What does the Plan say about
Crystal Palace Park?
The Plan strips away Metropolitan
Open Land protection for the top-site, while designating it as
"disused land" ripe for "mixed uses" for "leisure and recreational
development in conjunction with the bus station." It also designates
the National Sports Centre a "major developed site".
What is the
problem?
Unless the Plan is changed, then
huge commercial development can be expected in the Park. Even if we
defeat the multiplex proposal, Bromley will propose another
development in accordance with the Plan, which will be very hard to
resist.
What is the Campaign doing about
it?
Objecting. Our objection will be
heard at a public inquiry by an independent Inspector appointed by
the Secretary of State.
What can I do about
it?
Act now, object! - write before the
deadline 10 May 2001.
To:
The Chief Planner,
Bromley Civic Centre,
Stockwell Close,
Bromley BR1 3UH,
You should object to Site Proposals
8 and 9 and to Policy G2. The reasons for the objection are that both
the top-site and the Sports Centre should stay Metropolitan Open Land
and should not have their protection eroded by designation as
development site. Also, the kind of development proposed for the
top-site is completely out of keeping with the historic nature of the
site and its residential surroundings, and fails to take into account
the widespread objection to development of this nature.
Will I have to speak at a public
inquiry?
No. Not if you don't want to. But
if you do object in writing then you have the right to do
so.
If others are objecting, then
why should I do so as well?
Because it is important that the
breadth of the objection is understood by the Inspector. Over 600
people objected to the developer's licensing application, which made
a big impact on the Court. We hope to make a simlar impact on the UDP
Inquiry. Provided that we defeat the multiplex, then a victory at the
UDP Inquiry will give the Park the long term protection from Bromley
that it obviously needs.
PLEASE ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR
PARK!
You can also e-mail if you
wish to:
udp@bromley.gov.uk
or fax: 020 - 8313
0095
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A small version of the map
of Crystal Palace Park in Bromley's UDP document. Listed
under "Schedule of Proposal Sites" (page 163)
"8: National Sports
Centre, Crystal Palace Park: To redevelop and refurbish
existing facilities to meet growing demand, in accordance
with Government policy on Major Developed Sites.
"9: Crystal Palace Park,
'Disused Land': To provide leisure and recreational
development, with associated food and drink premises, in
conjunction with the existing bus station."
But... read the above
notes.
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6/4/01 Last Updated
6/4/01;1/5/01;3/5/01(e-mail added); map 9/5/01;corrected title to
fist deposit