(R52) CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN - URGENT PRESS RELEASE - 10 & 11 February 2001
MP, MEP URGE BROMLEY NOT TO AXE 150 CRYSTAL PALACE TREES
10 February
Tessa Jowell, MP, and Jean Lambert, MEP, spearheaded at the weekend a new wave of high-level political protest urging Bromley Council be stopped from felling 150 mature trees on the site of the proposed massive Crystal Palace multiplex. Local residents opposed to the project are on full alert for the felling to begin at any moment.
Bromley’s plans to fell ahead of the nesting season later this month were conveyed to the Court of Appeal last Thursday, even though legal challenges are still to be concluded that could prevent the multiplex being built. Further, with the developer stating construction could not begin until October, the end of the nesting season in August, according to the RSPB, would still give months for the tree felling.
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, wrote to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who, in response to a formal challenge to the planning permission from the full European Commission over Bromley’s breach of a European Directive, has the responsibility as Environment Secretary to meet EU law. Ms Lambert, referring to both the EC action and a citizens’ petition in the European Parliament, wrote:
“Beginning to clear the site for development might prejudice the outcome of the case… and would not be looked on favourably by the European institutions”, affirming that it “could potentially be very embarrassing for the UK government”.
Tessa Jowell, Labour MP, for Dulwich & W Norwood, wrote to Bromley’s Borough Secretary Walter Million:
“Should you take precipitate action by cutting down the trees, it will harden the local view that you are simply not concerned about those who are most likely to be affected by the development.”
In addition to the EC complaint that Bromley’s planning consent needs rectifying with a formal Environmental Impact Assessment – which was never carried out – a local resident has won the right to a full judicial review of the planning permission, on the same European grounds, before a 3-judge Hearing in the Court of Appeal, possibly in June.
Fred Emery CPC spokesman said:
“We face the nonsensical position of possibly stopping the multiplex while losing all these trees planted up to 60 years ago. Bromley, as a public authority, must be made to see reason, and listen at last to the community.”
Tessa Jowell, MP, and Jean Lambert, MEP, spearheaded at the weekend a new wave of high-level political protest urging Bromley Council be stopped from felling 150 mature trees on the site of the proposed massive Crystal Palace multiplex. Local residents opposed to the project are on full alert for the felling to begin at any moment.
Bromley’s plans to fell ahead of the nesting season later this month were conveyed to the Court of Appeal last Thursday, even though legal challenges are still to be concluded that could prevent the multiplex being built. Further, with the developer stating construction could not begin until October, the end of the nesting season in August, according to the RSPB, would still give months for the tree felling.
Jean Lambert, MEP for London (Green), wrote to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who, in response to a formal challenge to the planning permission from the full European Commission over Bromley’s breach of a European Directive, has the responsibility as Environment Secretary to meet EU law. Ms Lambert, referring to both the EC action and a citizens’ petition in the European Parliament, wrote
“Beginning to clear the site for development might prejudice the outcome of the case… and would not be looked on favourably by the European institutions”, affirming that it “… could potentially be very embarrassing for the UK government”.
Valerie Shawcross, London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark (Lab), has already requested Mr Prescott
“… to revoke Bromley’s planning permission for the Multiplex, following the [October 11 2000] European Commission’s formal notice …As the legality of the plans for a multiplex are in doubt it would show blatant disregard for the views of local people to proceed with felling until the outcome of this is known.”
Tessa Jowell, MP, for Dulwich & W Norwood (Lab), wrote to Bromley’s Borough Secretary Walter Million:
“… should you take precipitate action by cutting down the trees, it will harden the local view that you are simply not concerned about those who are most likely to be affected by the development.”
In addition to the EC’s formal notice that Bromley’s planning permission was granted without the Environmental Impact Assessment, required by EU law, a local resident has won the right to a full judicial review of the planning permission, also on European issues, before a 3-judge Hearing in the Court of Appeal, possibly in June.
Fred Emery CPC spokesman said:
“We face the nonsensical position of possibly stopping the multiplex while losing all these trees planted up to 60 years ago. Bromley, as a public authority, must be made to see reason, and listen at last to the community.”
Press Officer: Fred Emery 020 8761 0076 Mobile: 0794 117 2023
All correspondence to: Hon Secretary, 33 HogarthCourt, Fountain Drive, London SE19 1UY
E-mail: fred@syre.demon.co.uk Website: www.crystal.dircon.co.uk
11/2/01 Last updated
11/2/01