WIREDGOV

Exciting new plans for the massive regeneration of Crystal Palace Park were announced today by the Chief Executive of the London Development Agency (LDA), Manny Lewis.

Developed by the LDA, Design for London and award winning architects Latz & Partner, the masterplan will see the park return to being one of the most spectacular green spaces in Europe. Blueprints include a tree top walkway, an aquarium, tropical glasshouses and a tree canopy mimicking the silhouette of the old Palace.

In addition the concert bowl will be renovated, along with the reconstruction of the former cricket pitch (and a new pavilion), sunken gardens along the terraces, and the restoration of one of the famous Paxton fountains.

The amount of park land accessible to the public will increase by up to 39 acres - returning to parkland areas that previously housed buildings or the caravan park.

The famous park was designed by the celebrated Joseph Paxton to house his much-acclaimed Crystal Palace following its removal from its original 1851 Great Exhibition site in Hyde Park. It was widely considered to be the world's first theme park featuring a Victorian dinosaur park - designed in conjunction with the father of palaeontology Richard Owen.

In its time the park has been host to innumerable notable occasions including 20 FA cup finals, the first West Indies test match and the home of John Logie Baird's first TV company.

The masterplan will be implemented in a staged process to bring the park up to local, regional, national and ultimately international standards as a sporting, recreation, cultural and heritage attraction for south London. The plan has been subject to extensive local consultation to ensure it meets the community's needs and will cost an estimated £67.5million to develop. An outline planning application will be submitted to Bromley Borough Council in the autumn followed by securing funding partners.

The massive regeneration of the park follows Bromley Council's decision to hand overall management to the LDA in 2005.

Chief Executive of the LDA, Manny Lewis said: "I'm delighted to say that our masterplan for Crystal Palace Park is ready for submission to Bromley Council. The LDA has worked hard to ensure that local people have had a real say in the future of their park after carrying out the largest park consultation in UK history. Having seen these exciting designs drawn up by Latz & Partner I am confident that they are entirely fitting for this historic park, ensuring it has a sustainable, ecological yet exciting future for years to come."

For media enquiries, please contact Luke Robonson at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8069; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000.

Notes for editors

The London Development Agency works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.

Design for London was established within the London Development Agency (LDA) to embed design quality in all work commissioned or carried out through the GLA family.

Pictures of the plans and Crystal Palace Park as well as a brochure explaining the masterplan proposals are available on request from the LDA media team.