LDA to hold major consultation on Crystal Palace Park's future in October as it pledges more money for priority improvements

A series of challenging proposals for the future of Crystal Palace Park will be put to the public from 20 October, in the second major public consultation to be held on the park by the London Development Agency (LDA).

As it announced the dates, the LDA also pledged to fund a number of physical improvements to the park to have a more immediate impact while the long-term future is decided.

LDA Executive Director for Regeneration and Development, Tony Winterbottom, said: "After 18 months of analysis of Crystal Palace Park's needs and extensive consultation with local people, we are ready to put forward our proposals for the park's future. These could have a dramatic impact on the park and help to boost the surrounding area, so we want as many people as possible to have their say on the proposals. That's why we'll be holding the consultation event in two places in the park from October 20, and will follow this up with a roadshow in the local area over November."

The consultation will set out proposals and options for the future of the park that will aim to meet the key objectives identified for the park. These will be detailed in the consultation but are likely to include the following:

• Increase the amount of parkland, with high-quality greenspace through the centre of the park
• Create attractive, vibrant entrances
• Make the park a must-see destination for London once again
• Ensure the park contributes to the regeneration of surrounding areas

The Dates for the consultation will be:

• 20-25 Oct, Exhibition at lower (Penge) end of park
• 27 Oct-1 Nov - Exhibition at upper (western) end of park
• Nov-Dec - Exhibition weekend roadshow around town centres
• From 20 Oct - proposals and questionnaire available on www.crystalpalacepark.org.uk

The LDA will take on responsibility for the national sports centre in March 2006 and has an option to take on the running of the park by 2009. Whilst the LDA has committed millions of pounds to improving the park, there will need to be other sources of funding in order for the rejuvenation to meet the high aspirations set for the park.

This will be the Agency's second consultation on the park, after 2,500 people had their say on a raft of ideas put forward last year. These ideas are being developed into proposals and options following extensive discussions with local people and detailed analysis of the needs of the park.

Earlier this year, local residents, businesses and sports groups stressed their support for a new sports centre with modern facilities that would be closer to the edge of the park, thereby improving safety and access to public transport.

For media enquiries: contact Oliver Roberts of the LDA Media Team on 020 7954 4206.