(P.100) Residents want park to stay green - Croydon Post, Wednesday 3 April 2002

A poll last week showed an amazing 69 per cent of residents are against any commercial development of the ridge top site at the historic South London Park.

And over three quarters of those quizzed said they would prefer an ecology park or managed parkland for the site where the Palace was once located.

The research was carried out by the Crystal Palace Campaign (CPC), who have described their survey as "the first ever serious consultation among residents in the five boroughs adjoining the park."

Green, green grass... most people want to keep Crystal Palace Park like this

Chairman Philip Kolvin said: "This survey clearly demonstrates that the Park is seen by the community in general and park users in particular, as a green asset of historic importance. While that does not necessarily preclude all built development, the people have spoken: a commercial/leisure development is neither wanted nor needed here.

"The responses are an essential starting point for creating a viable and sustainable way to regenerate this park for the public good."

CPC decided to take matters into their own hands after Bromley Council's abandoned plans last May for a hugely opposed 20-screen multiplex.

Their volunteers distributed 40,000 questionnaires to residents living close to the park in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark as well as Bromley where the park is situated.

They received over 2,300 responses and the report was presented last Tuesday to Rt Hon Tessa Jowell, MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Last updated 9/5/2002