Crystal Palace News

3.57.30pm GMT Sun 1st Jan 2006

Crystal Palace Lib Dem Councillors John Canvin and Chris Gaster

News from Crystal Palace Ward councillors Chris Gaster and John Canvin

CRYSTAL PALACE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE (NSC) and PARK

Some 4000 people visited the exhibitions in the park and about 1000, the roadshows. An early analysis of the 2500 odd questionnaires returned shows majority support for the proposals but opposition to housing on the corner of Anerley Hill. The London Development Agency's recently published Planning Framework is not a formal planning document but a draft for consultation. There is a strong presumption against residential development on Metropolitan Open Land which is what the park is unless very special circumstances outweigh the harm. At this stage, Bromley Council is likely to say the case for such development has not been made.

TRAVEL and TRANSPORT

We are pleased to tell you that work to repair Penge West Station will start in January. Southern (the leaseholders) tell us they wanted to make some additions to the old building but Network Rail (the landlord) refused to allow them to do this as the insurers will only pay to restore the station to its former condition.

The £400m contract to extend the East London line to Dalston, West Croydon and Crystal Palace will be let in the summer to one of four pre-qualifed bidders. Work is already under way on 21 bridges along the Kingsland Viaduct. Completion is still expected in June 2010.

Gas main replacement works will be taking place all across Bromley. Locally, work - which will involve one way working - will take place in Anerley Hill.

ANERLEY VALE

We are pleased Tescos have taken over the former Eurofoods store and provided the first cash point in Crystal Palace Ward. We have expressed concern about the continued rubbish dumping in the car park and the litter on the green space at the back of Miller Court to Bromley Council. They have agreed to clear the land.

ALCOHOL and OTHER LICENSING ACTIVITIES' APPLICATIONS

At the hearing for The Paxton Arms on 2 December, a verbally amended application was made. The application granted allows the pub to open for the sale of alcohol using existing hours but extended to 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

PLANNING

Bromley Council has granted permission for 5 two bed flats in a 5 storey block at 49 Belvedere Road. Permission has been granted on appeal for 2 houses and a maisonette on land to the rear of 97 Anerley Road. An application for 24 flats on land adjoining 51 Beverley Road has been deferred. The application for a health and community centre, and 4 houses in Castledine Road is still being evaluated.

SCHOOLS

Despite investment and improving results, only 45 pupils have accepted places for September 2006 at All Saints Catholic School (the former St John Rigby RC College). The school can admit 240 pupils but since the publicity following a former headteacher's imprisonment, numbers have fallen to the extent that the school is no longer considered viable. Consultation is to take place on closing the school in 2007. The idea is for existing years 10 and 11 to complete their education at All Saints, year 9 to transfer to other schools in September 2006, year 8 to transfer to other schools in September 2007 and year 7 to transfer to other schools by September 2007. We think it incredible that after what happened when the school was grant maintained, a Labour Government is introducing a similar system - trust schools - in its new Education Bill.

The site of the former James Dixon Primary School buildings in Anerley Park is to be sold. When a planning application is submitted, we will let you know.