Appeal over Crystal Palace

by Michael Gordon



The Crystal Palace Campaign Group took their case to the appeal court on Monday after losing their High Court battle against developers.

The group was campaigning against plans to build a multiplex cinema on the site of the Crystal Palace ruins in south London. The application by the campaign group for leave to apply for a judicial review of the decision by Bromley Council to grant planning permission for the development was refused by Mr Justice Sullivan.

London and Regional Properties submitted an outline planning application at the end of July for its £55 million scheme. The 23,235m2 leisure scheme will include an 18-screen UCI cinema, family entertainment centre, night club, bowling alley, health and fitness suite, small exhibition space and restaurants.

Protesters complained that the development was not fitting to the "Victorian conservatory" style of the original building and plan to hold public meeting to garner support.

Philip Kolvin, chairman of the Crystal Palace Campaign Group, said: "We are going to appeal against the High Court's decision at London's court of appeal on Monday. We intend to establish an economic blockade against Bromley Council and any prospective cinema or developers to the site, whereby, if the cinema goes ahead it will be boycotted by tens of thousands of supporters. We will also boycott all other cinemas owned by the same chain.

"We hope this will make it clear to developers that they simply cannot obliterate an historic community park."