Funding has been secured for the Crystal Palace Park regeneration plan through the long-anticipated sale of land adjacent to the park for affordable housing, while also unlocking more park land.
This crucial funding is entirely ringfenced for the regeneration of the park and ensures the next multi-million phase of the works will proceed as planned this year, with the sale also unlocking 3.76 acres of currently inaccessible land back into the park. This funding will support important upcoming works in the park, including the restoration of the iconic dinosaurs, a new dinosaur themed playground, and the restoration of the Italian terrace stonework, as well as landscaping improvements.
The land sale has secured £21.8m in funding for the park while allowing much-needed affordable housing to also be delivered by the purchaser, Clarion Housing Group. The sale consists of two housing development sites, Rockhills and Sydenham Villas, with a total of 210 homes expected to be built across the two sites. Outline planning permission was granted for this housing as part of the wider regeneration plan in 2021, which is now being co-delivered by Bromley Council and the Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led custodians of the park. The whole £21.8m from the sale will be used for the regeneration of the park.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, says: “This is another milestone completed in the regeneration of this historic park, securing funding needed to make this comprehensive regeneration plan viable. While the land sale for housing has always been planned, I am pleased that we have managed to secure affordable housing from the sale while still maximising value for the works, which means more of the homes we need will be built to help combat the significant housing pressures we are facing. Residents will soon see exciting works commencing on restoring the park’s beloved heritage and thanks to the sale more improvements to the park will soon be possible.”
Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, says: “We are proud to be delivering much-needed affordable homes as part of this transformative project for Crystal Palace Park. This development will not only provide high-quality, sustainable homes for local people but also contribute to the regeneration of one of London’s most historic green spaces. By working in partnership with Bromley Council and the Crystal Palace Park Trust, we are ensuring that both housing and heritage can thrive together, benefiting the local community for generations to come.”
Victoria Pinnington, chief executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust says: “This fantastic investment in the park is the cornerstone for our ambitious plans to preserve, restore and reinvent Crystal Palace Park. As well as returning more park land to public enjoyment, it allows us to move forward in earnest with the regeneration of the park, for the benefit of all our visitors. And in time, we look forward to welcoming some new neighbours to our park-going community.”
Funding from the sale comes following a number of grants being secured to support the upcoming works, including £5m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This next major phase of works includes:
- restoration of the 30 Grade I-listed Dinosaur sculptures and their surrounding landscape, including the Tidal Lakes
- the creation of a new dinosaur-themed playground
- restoration of the Grade II-listed Italian Terraces including the creation of two new accessible routes from the centre of the park to the top near Crystal Palace Parade
- a new Visitor Centre to replace the dilapidated Information Centre, and a new maintenance facility for the grounds maintenance team
- a new community centre and cafe near Rockhills Gate
- a new feature entrance at Penge Gate
- improved footpaths, lighting and wayfinding around the Tidal Lakes and Italian Terraces
- the introduction of sustainable drainage systems in key areas of the park to improve water management.
The restoration works will continue to be supported by expert advice from partners Historic England, who also supported the impressive restoration of the Grade II* Listed Subway which reopened last year.
