Crystal Palace Park scheme called in
by Pete Hayman | 23 Feb 2009
Plans drawn up by the London Development Agency (LDA) for the £100m regeneration of Crystal Palace Park in south London have been called in by communities secretary Hazel Blears.
A masterplan for the scheme – drawn up by German-based architect Latz and Partner, the LDA and Design for London – was launched in October 2007 and has been designed to guarantee that the park has a sustainable future. Proposals include the creation of five new gateways into the park, improving access and increasing the amount of public open spaces by more than 40 acres (16 hectares), with more than 600 new trees planted.
A tree-top walkway, an aquarium, tropical glasshouses and a tree canopy, designed to mimic the silhouette of the former Crystal Palace building, feature as part of the scheme, as well as the renovation of the concert bowl, the reconstruction of a former cricket pitch and a new pavilion. Sunken gardens and the restoration of one of Joseph Paxton's fountains, the park's original designer, are also included, as well as housing developments at two sites on the park's boundary.
A spokesperson for the LDA said: "The London Development Agency is confident that its masterplan is balanced and well-conceived. It has already won national acclaim from English Heritage as an Exemplar of Constructive Conservation. "We believe our proposals to regenerate Crystal Palace Park and increase the amount of green, open space in the park present a compelling case. We do not believe our proposal to create new gateways into the park by building some housing on part of an existing caravan site and a car park represent anything but a chance to invest in and improve Crystal Palace Park."
Meanwhile £14m has already been invested in refurbishing the National Sports Centre, situated at the heart of the park and is set to reopen in April. Work at the centre includes the lengthening of the swimming pool to international standards, an upgraded arena, revamped changing rooms and exercise studios and repairs to the roof and windows.
Image: LDA
Plans drawn up by the London Development Agency (LDA) for the £100m regeneration of Crystal Palace Park in south London have been called in by communities secretary Hazel Blears. A masterplan for the scheme – drawn up by German-based architect Latz and Partner, the LDA and Design for London – was launched in October 2007 and has been designed to guarantee that the park has a sustainable future. Proposals include
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