Issue - meetings

Description of application - Outline application with all matters reserved except highways access for comprehensive phased regeneration of Crystal Palace Park. This will include: conservation and repair of heritage assets; removal of existing hard surfaces; alterations to ground levels and tree removal; landscaping including planting of new trees; demolition of existing buildings and structures; creation of new pedestrian paths/vehicular access roads / car, coach and cycle parking; changes of use including part of the caravan site to part public open space and part residential; erection of new buildings and structures comprising: up to 2300sqm for a cultural venue (Use Class D2), up to 530sqm of park maintenance facilities (Sui Generis) including the dismantling and reconstruction of existing maintenance depot; up to 150sqm information centre (Use Class D1); up to 670sqm for a community centre (Use Class D1); up to 3779sqm of educational institution at the Capel Manor College Farm Site (Use Class D1) of which 3399sqm comprises educational buildings and 380sqm comprises ancillary shelters/ outbuildings; and up to 16,352 sqm of residential (Use Class C3) accommodation to provide up to 210 residential dwellings, together with associated and ancillary works including utilities and surface water drainage, plant and equipment. Full planning permission is sought for alteration to highways access at Anerley Hill Gate entrance, Penge Gate car park, Old Cople Lane (Rockhills Gate), Sydenham Gate car park and the creation of three additional accesses for the residential development at Rockhills and Sydenham Villas.

Oral representations in objection to the application were received.

Oral representations in support of the application were received from the Interim Assistant Director of Culture and Regeneration who gave the following responses to Member questions:-

·  It was anticipated that £14,275,000 would be funded by various grants and a further £1,500,000 through crowd-funding and Council contributions. The balance of £24,225,000 would need to be generated through enabling the residential element of the proposal.

·  Without the £24,225,000, it would be almost impossible to deliver anything at all.

Oral representations from visiting Ward Member Councillor Angela Wilkins in support of the application were received at the meeting. Councillor Wilkins stated that Crystal Palace Park was a unique place which had suffered over the years from a lack of investment. The Council had invested over £1m to set up the Crystal Palace Park Trust and a huge amount of time and energy had been given to establishing the Regeneration Plan. This application was part of a long-running strategy to secure the future of the park. The Capel Manor College Farm Site application had changed considerably and as a result, no MOL would be lost. While Councillor Wilkins was concerned in regard to the lack of affordable housing, she was convinced that the supply issue was being addressed elsewhere in the borough. If the application were to be refused, the Council would be turning its back on its heritage assets and the site would deteriorate even further.

The Principal Planner, Major Developments reported that this was an outline application and details of each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19