PARKNEWS www.crystalpalacepark.org Edition 5 July 2007 MORE PARK - YOUR PARK! WHAT’S ON IN JULY 30th June - 1st July Crystal Palace Foundation Victorian Weekend 30th June - 1st July London Youth Games Finals 4th July London Keep Fit Parade 5th July Ballers Evening (Basketball) 7th - 8th July British International Open Tae Kwon Do Competition 8th July July NFL Europe London Warriors American Football 12th July Ballers Evening (Basketball) 13th - 22nd July World Youth Games Volleyball, Handball and Basketball HOUSING The masterplan will require an investment in Crystal Palace Park of approximately £67 million. The LDA is looking at a variety of ways to deliver this. One of these options is to use the proceeds from selling two acres at the edge of the park (roughly 1% of the park's 200 acres) for housing. Two potential sites have been identified at Rockhills and Sydenham Gate. Rockhills is currently the site of the Caravan Club enclosure, which occupies six acres of the park on a long term private lease. When originally built Rockhills was the site of the private villa and gardens of Joseph Paxton (the architect of the Crystal Palace). Today, the enclosure is inaccessible to park visitors. Under the masterplan proposals, the Caravan Club site would be relocated and five of their six acres returned to open public parkland, with just over one acre possibly used for housing. VICTORIAN WEEKEND The London Development Agency helped to support the Crystal Palace Foundation's annual Victorian Weekend. The Foundation organised historical guided walks on behalf of the LDA over the Victorian Weekend running from 30th June to 1st July. The masterplanning team also had a marquee outside the Park Information Centre where information on the emerging masterplan was on display. As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being carried out on the park, the Museum of London Archaeological Service (MoLAS) has been carrying out digs on the former Palace site and the terraces. An exhibition of their work and investigations was also on display in masterplanners' marquee. For a number of years, the Crystal Palace Foundation have been undertaking an archaeological dig on the site of the old aquarium near the Crystal Palace transmitter. The CPF also displayed their finds at the Victorian weekend. FUNDING The LDA is proposing a massive investment package to regenerate Crystal Palace Park - £67.2 million spread over 15-20 years to deliver the ambitious new design set out in the masterplan. Now that the draft masterplan is nearly completed, it's been possible to work out how much each individual element of the plans is likely to cost. The transformation and regeneration potential for the park through the masterplan is really exciting. However, everyone appreciates that the masterplan will take time and money to achieve. Below the LDA has set out the costs of delivering the vision for the park's future on three levels. The idea is that the most important things are fixed and improved first (at the local park stage) with these then maintained and added to with the addition of extra features that start to position the park as a regional, nationally and international park, whilst still maintaining it's fundamental local park uses and needs. • Improved local park - this would include an enhanced and restored landscape with features such as playgrounds. Although this is the most 'basic' option it would take up the bulk of the costs as it requires all the expensive landscaping works that are necessary to make the park more accessible and user friendly. Improvement would include a new Paxton fountain, Eco Palace water 15th July ponds, and two sunken gardens on the terraces and London Olympians v Birmingham Blues American Football new playgrounds. This would cost approximately Sydenham Gate is the site of a row of villas built at the turn of the £40.5 million. 19th July last century along Crystal Palace Park Road. A number of these • A regional destination - this would provide new park Ballers Evening (Basketball) were destroyed during the Second World War and are now related facilities, such as two new greenhouses, housing occupied by other buildings such as the St John's Ambulance and mediterranean and tropical plants with the possibility of 22nd July Rangers' yard. The masterplan plan envisages new villa style a butterfly area, a cricket pavilion, a restored maze and an adventure playground. The cost of a new enlarged Jamaica Fun Day accommodation to replace the former homes. 22nd July and enhanced museum and a viewing tower over the London Olympians American Football In all, 176 flats could be built on the edge of the park, using historic subway are not included here as they would be 2.02 acres (1% of the park's 200 acres. Even if it is included the met through separate funding sources. This option would 26th July LDA have stated that it is a last resort, not a first choice but an cost an additional £17.3 million. Ballers Evening (Basketball) option. If other funding can be found to meet the cost of • A national/international destination - this option would delivering the masterplan the housing will not be needed. 27th July provide major new attractions such as a treetop walkway and the energy towers which would be capable of Midnight Madness A number of restrictions are placed on any proposals to build in (Basketball Tournament) Qualifier the park grounds. Firstly, the whole park is Grade II* Listed, drawing in significant numbers of new visitors to the park, 28th-29th July which means any changes need specific permission. Large parts helping to boost the local economy. With the energy towers (likely to be met separately through corporate The Bowl Festival of the park, including Rockhills but not Sydenham Gate site, are on Metropolitan Open Land, which is similar to Green Belt land sponsorship) this option would cost an extra £9.4 million. 28th July in that permission can only be granted in 'exceptional Basketball Summer League circumstances', and the park is governed by its very own Acts of The LDA is preparing a business plan for the park, which Parliament. The London County Council (Crystal Palace) Act, will look at ways of funding the masterplan improvements. These include the LDA continuing to part fund the park, 29th July 1951 actually restricts potential development to specific identified Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grants for the terraces, a contribution from Sport England for sporting facilities, Basketball Summer League areas in the park known as “yellow land.” 29th July awards from charitable foundations, private or corporate London Youth Federation Athletics The sale of the two sites could raise approximately £12m in today’s prices, with the potential to lever in considerably more sponsorship for features such as the energy towers, energy 29th July money as matched funding from other external agencies. This and sustainability related grants as well as public donations for items such as new trees, bricks and park furniture. Any Radio Controlled Car National Race Meet money would be ring fenced specifically for the park. Nonetheless, the option provokes strong opinions on all sides and income from potential housing would have to be spent on the ‘improved local park’. 29th July no decision has been taken yet on whether to include it in the Fun Run masterplan. That decision will be made by the LDA in July. Terraces & sunken gardens The Italian Terraces were a key feature of Paxton's park but over the years they have fallen into a sorry state of disrepair. Under the masterplan, the proposals are to restore the remaining terraces and revive some of their splendour by creating two new sunken gardens. These will enable full disabled access, with new entrances from the centre of the park, where the old stairways to the terraces used to be, and a series of sloping paths inside leading up to the terraces themselves. Treetop walkway A treetop walkway is planned which would take visitors to the park through the wooded areas of the traditional English landscape. Because of the steep gradient across the length of the park the walkway can start at ground level at both ends, running from near the terraces to Crystal Palace Park Road. Rockhills A new gateway for the park could be created, opening up access from Dulwich into the park. Currently the Caravan Club occupies six acres of parkland on a long-term lease. The masterplan would hope to relocate the club outside the park, and return just under five acres of the enclosure to parkland, with little over an acre at the edge of the park used as a site for housing, which could raise £8 million for the park improvements. No decision has been made on housing and it is an option which may not be used. English landscape The traditional English landscape is perhaps the best preserved aspect of the original park. The plans here are to enhance the area while maintaining its character. Proposals include a restoration of the maze and an improved concert area, with a new café facility housed in one of the terrace greenhouses. Paxton Axis Joseph Paxton's grand Central Walkway linking the old Palace site with the Penge entrance willbe restored. During the 1960's, the walkwaywas blocked by the construction of theNational Sports Centre and Stadium and the concrete podium that contains the indoorathletics track. All that remains of the original isa brief stretch down by the Penge gate. Underthe new plans, the podium will be demolished Old Palace site The masterplan envisages a new 'Tree Palace' rising on the foundations of the old Palace site. Bringing the hilltop back into full public use, a wide public boulevard would be created, linking all five of the local boroughs together. A new grid of trees will be planted creating giant open air 'rooms'. The trees will create a canopy five to ten metres in the air, echoing the footprint of the original palace. Cricket Pitch and Sydenham Gate The masterplan would enhance the Sydenham Gate with a prominent new entrance to the park. Six villa style blocks could be built on the former site of the historic villas along Crystal Palace Park Road. This could raise a further £4 million that would help to deliver the masterplan vision however, no decision has been The old historic cricket pitch, which was the home ground of Victorian cricketing legend W.G. Grace, would be restored, and a new cricket pavilion will also be built. A series of ecological ponds will be created nearby on land that is currently prone to regular flooding. The Park Rangers facilities will be relocated from the Penge Gate barrier, with high railings separating pedestrians on the pavement from the park. The masterplan aims to open up the linkages, reconnecting the park with the Anerley Hill would be the site for the replacement of the Lodge. When the tower block in the centre of The Grade II* Listed National Sports Centre (NSC) building will be retained, but converted into a dry sports pavilion, for sports such as 5-a-side football and hockey. The NSC currentlysits in a bowl, the land will be filled in creatinglevel ground. The Olympic sized 50 m swimmingpool (one of only two in London) will be movedto a new Regional Sports Centre (RSC) within the park, which will be built on the site of one of thestadium stands. This will sit underground, with anaccessible green roof acting as part of the park. NSC, RSC & stadium temporary accommodation for visiting athletes and school parties. There is also the potential to provide Heart of the park The centre of the park is currently dominated by tarmac carparks and roads. The masterplan will return this area back to green landscaped parkland. Key features will include an adventure playground, (built on the foundations of the current 11 storey lodge tower block, which will be demolished), new landscaped water features and a police and first aid pavilion. It will mark out a transitional area which integrates the 'wilder' elements of the Lower Lakes and English Landscape with the more formal terraces and gardens. Capel Manor at the Farm The much loved urban farm is due to re-open in September. Capel Manor, one of the country's leading horticultural and animal husbandry centres has won planning permission from Bromley Council to open the farm again after a long hiatus. The farm will be open 300 days year, on average 5 days a week, including weekends. A new dinosaur interpretation centre will be built, replacing the shabby buildings that currently exist. This will provide a new educational focal point for the Penge end of the park as well as wider community park interpretation and information facilities and a revamped café. Boats will also be re-introduced on to the lake, while much of the existing unnecessary fencing will be removed as well. Greenhouses Two large greenhouses will be constructed flanking either end of the terraces. One will contain mediterranean plants the other tropical. They will echo the design of the original Palace, which had two large wings on the same sites. Anerley Hill At the moment, the Anerley Hill edge acts as a street, helping to pull visitors into the park. the park is removed, a smaller low rise building would be constructed by the station, providing teaching facilities for Capel Manor College and the Paxton Axis will once again run along the length of the park. made yet. to the site of the old rangers' lodge. Lower Lakes and Penge Gate CONTACT US For further information please call the CPP Consultation Team on 020 7357 6894 or email us at cpp@localdialogue.com This magazine is also available in text form. Translation services are available upon request in the following languages: • Polski • Somali • Türkçe • Please contact us on 020 7357 6894. EDITORIAL The first stage of the masterplanning process is almost complete. It's nearly a year since the London Development Agency (LDA) appointed landscape architects Latz + Partner to produce a new long term vision for the park, and their design work is almost done. The masterplan has involved one of the UK's largest ever consultation programmes. Not only has ParkNews been distributed free to over 38,000 local households and businesses but an extensive outreach programme has also taken place. Special meetings and events have been held with groups who have not previously been actively involved, such as young people, the elderly, black and minority ethnic and faith communities, and we have ensured that a wide range of local people have had their voices heard. As a result, Latz have produced a set of proposals that respond to the many different local priorities and aspirations for the park. Although it's unlikely that anybody will see 100% of what they wanted for the park, real efforts have been made to address the issues that were raised. Latz's masterplan aims to restore the tradition of innovation and creativity that made Crystal Palace Park world famous. The plans would see the old Palace site brought back into full public use through the planting of a 'Tree Palace'; the restoration of the Central Walkway that used to link the old Palace site to the Penge Gate and the replacement of the tarmac car parks, that dominate much of the centre, with new landscaped green parkland. Exciting new features are also proposed, such as two large greenhouses that will house mediterranean and tropical plant life and butterflies, a pair of 86 metre high energy towers which will power the park through harnessing renewable energy sources, a tree top walkway taking the public through the English landscape high above the park and much, much more. Although the draft of the masterplan is now ready, there is still a long way to go before the plans are finalised. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is being prepared, which will examine how the plans would effect the local wildlife habitat and general environment. Once that has been completed, an outline planning application will be submitted this September. After that, it is anticipated it will take at least a year for Bromley Council to decide whether to grant planning permission for the proposals. While the plans are finalised, the LDA will continue to talk and listen to local people. about its proposals and the benefits to the wider Crystal Palace community. Energy Tower An 86 metre high renewable energy tower, on the site of one of the old Brunel Water towers, which would act as an iconic symbol for the park, blending cutting technology with respect for the environment. The tower would help power the park through a combination of wind, solar and biomass energy and act as an educational focus point for the park. NEWS DIGEST • Government Office for London has given the go-ahead for Capel Manor, London's leading animal husbandry and horticultural college to reopen the farm in Crystal Palace Park. Capel Manor has significant experience running city farms in London. the changing rooms is scheduled to start by the end of the year. The facilities upgrade will allow the swimming pool facilities to remain open until 2012. For more information on how this may affect you, please contact 020 8778 0131. • In associated news, ParkNews would like to • The Department for Education and Skills has congratulate Steve Dowbiggin, the Principal of Capel Manor. He has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services decided to support a National Skills Academy for the sports and leisure industry at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace Park. £600,000 to Education. will be invested in the • The demolition of the turnstiles and footbridge next to Crystal Palace Station is continuing at pace. The unsightly turnstiles had remained modernisation of training and development facilities at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The initial investment of £600,000 includes £200,000 from the disused for nearly twenty years and will be replaced by a small landscaped square to greet visitors into the park. Work scheduled to be London Development Agency, £200,000 from the Learning and Skills Council and £200,000 from private industry. • completed by the end of July. The upgrade of the National Sports Centre heating and filtration system and renovation of • Some of you may have noticed the archaeological digs that have been taking place on the former Palace site and terraces over the past month. The Museum of London Archaeological Service • If you are a member of a August. On Sunday 19th (MoLAS) are carrying out group or organisation that August they are hosting a the digs as part of the would like more free interactive concert masterplan to ensure that information on the aimed at families. Noisy the plans avoid damage masterplan, please Kids will be the perfect to the remains of the contact us by email: chance to enjoy the Crystal Palace. English cpp@localdialogue.com, different sounds of the Heritage, with the support telephone: orchestra - the thrilling of Crystal Palace 020 7357 6894 percussion, the dramatic Museum, are supervising or write to us at: strings, the delicate the work at every stage. CPP Consultation, woodwind and the Local Dialogue LLP, thundering brass! You can • The consultation team’s FREEPOST NAT 3717, even let off some musical visit to James Dixon LONDON SE1 2BR. steam by helping to create Primary School marked the We would be happy to a new piece of music from end of a programme that come along and see you. the safety of your seats! To has seen nearly 3,000 book your free tickets young people's views • Pops in the Park is part please visit being fed into the of the Royal Philharmonic www.popsinthepark.co.uk masterplan process. Orchestra's series of or call 020 7608 8813. concerts in the park in HOUSING & FUNDING WORKSHOP The third major public workshop of the CPP consultation programme was held on Friday June 1st at Anerley Town Hall. The evening session was dedicated to discussing the issue of funding for the masterplan proposals, in particular the option of using housing to part fund the plans. 60 members of the public attended and took part in a spirited discussion, despite the meeting clashing with the England vs. Brazil football international. Roger Frith from the LDA and Phil Meadowcroft from the design team gave presentations explaining the masterplan proposals and the costs of delivering the various elements of the plans. After the presentations the session broke up into two smaller workshops, to give participants the chance to discuss the issues in more depth. A range of views were aired from complete opposition to any residential development to support for using housing to fund wider revitalisation of the park and beyond. The LDA are expected to decide whether to include the housing option in the masterplan in July.