Londoners to help shape future of Crystal Palace Park and Sports Centre

Rejuvenating Crystal Palace Park - Have Your Say 18-26 September

Londoners will get the chance to have their say on ideas for rejuvenating Crystal Palace Park and the National Sports Centre, the London Development Agency (LDA) said today, with a large-scale public consultation from 18th-26th September.

The LDA is to take on responsibility for the sports centre in 2006 and, possibly, for the park as a whole by 2009.  It said the consultation was an opportunity to greatly improve the park and its facilities.

The sports centre is the home of many London and national sports bodies, but within five to eight years will need major works to maintain standards. The park – which was once home to the FA Cup Final and the world-famous Crystal Palace and still boasts a 150-year-old dinosaur park – also needs considerable work to fulfil its potential.

The park's prospects took a major leap forward earlier this year when Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, the LDA, Sport England, Bromley Council and the Government agreed a deal to save the sports centre. Following this deal, Sport England invested £1.5m in the athletics track so that the Grand Prix could be held last week.

The Mayor said:

"Crystal Palace has an illustrious history as a sports venue and park and as a one-time home to the Crystal Palace. In spite of a great deal of restoration and maintenance, parts of the park today are in need of substantial renovation, including the existing sports centre. This consultation will allow local people their say on how to return Crystal Palace to its status as a must-visit site for south London."

LDA chief executive Manny Lewis said:

"Rejuvenating this once-iconic park will help drive the regeneration of surrounding areas. We want to develop first class sports facilities, boost local businesses, bring in jobs and create an excellent learning resource for local schools. This is a wonderful opportunity to make the park truly great again and I hope Londoners will grab the chance to let us know what they think."

Chair of Sport England Lord Patrick Carter said:

"Having worked hard with our partners to secure a way forward for Crystal Palace, we are delighted that the local community will also play a major role in the consultation process. Sport England's new two year lease, coupled with our £1.5m investment in the athletics track, will help ensure that Crystal Palace continues as an important sporting venue for London."

The consultation will aim to reach out to local communities, along with sports, heritage and other interest groups. As well as a marquee in the park, people can have their say through the website - www.crystalpalacepark.org.uk.

The LDA will table a series of ideas that have been developed by independent consultants and local groups. The responses will be handled by independent consultants and then shaped into firmer proposals for another round of consultation early next year. These proposals will take into account the quality of design, economic sustainability and the potential regeneration benefits for surrounding communities.

Notes to editors

The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.