Bromley Unitary
Development Plan Proof of Philip
Kolvin Crystal Palace
Park Crystal Palace
Campaign Section
6
"Now, sadly, change and decay is
all around.
Toppling bandstands, gutted fountains,
paddling pools like swamps, smashed
glasshouses and petless pets' corners"
Leslie Thomas
6 Legislation 6.1 After the commercial
failure of the Crystal Palace Company, there was an issue as
to the future holding of the Park. By virtue of the Local
Authority Contributions (Crystal Palace) Act 1913, certain
authorities and individuals contributed to the cost of
acquisition of the Park. By the Crystal Palace Act 1914, a
body of trustees was constituted for the purpose of
acquiring the Park and managing it as a "place for education
and recreation and for the promotion of industry, commerce
and art". The trustees came from the corporation of the City
of London together with various other local authorities. In
other words, from 1914, the Park was held on a statutory
trust. 6.2 By the London County
Council (Crystal Palace) Act 1951, the Park vested in the
London County Council, again as a "place for education and
recreation and for the promotion of industry, commerce and
art". The Second Schedule saved from repeal certain parts of
the 1914 Act, including those parts providing for use of the
Park. These were essentially to replicate the aspirations of
the original Palace. So for example, they were empowered
to: 6.3 By 1990, there was a
proposal for an hotel development, as mentioned above. It
was considered that the proposal was not within the 1951
Act, so a new Act of Parliament was needed. This resulted in
the Bromley London Borough Council (Crystal Palace) Act
1990. That Act granted the right to dispose of the land for
the purpose of an hotel, restaurant, shops, licensed
premises, leisure facilities, entertainment facilities or
other associated uses.[20] Section 4 required that
any building on the top site reflect the architectural style
of the Palace, while an undertaking was given to Parliament
by Bromley that "the Council shall require that the building
should contain a predominance of glass and metal or similar
materials and that the building should reflect the spirit of
the original Crystal Palace". 6.4 It is very important to
note that the Act was not a planning Act. It did not purport
to predetermine any of the planning arguments as to
designation or use of the site. Bromley's Counsel,
Christopher Lockhart-Mummery QC emphasised to the House of
Commons Private Bill Committee: 6.5 Therefore, nothing in such
pre-existing legislation ought materially to influence the
future designation of this Park.
"
. that the
Bill does not over-ride or detract from other controls
which will apply to a development of this nature.
The applications, for example, have sought under the
building regulations, planning licensing or highway
legislation will be applied for and considered in the
normal way (sic). Under the relevant legislation there
will be the customary opportunity for public consultation
and objections to be considered."[21]
Top of
Section; Previous
Section (5);
Next
Section (7);
Contents
Notes:
[19] - The Park was a naval
depot during World War I.
[20]- Appendix 13.
[21] - House of Commons, 17.5.89, minutes of evidence page
45.
©Philip Kolvin