Bromley Council’s Development Control Committee has unanimously approved planning permission for restoration works to the many historic Victorian features across the park, including the iconic dinosaurs and Italian Terraces. The plans are part of a £17.75m transformation, with works set to commence in 2025.
There has been extensive consultation and engagement with local residents and groups took place as plans for this phase were progressed. The key elements of this phase will deliver:
- The restoration of the Grade-I listed Geological Court, including the Dinosaur sculptures and an enhanced landscape setting.
- A new dinosaur and geologically themed play area.
- The restoration of the Grade-II Italian Terraces.
- A new information centre and maintenance facility.
- A new feature entrance at Penge Gate.
- Improved lighting, wayfinding, and accessibility around the Tidal Lakes and Italian Terraces.
Additionally, the landscape proposals will seek to enhance the park’s incredible green spaces. New meadows, paleo-inspired planting and wildlife friendly shrub is included within the proposals to help create new habitats. Sustainable water management will also see stormwater runoff integrated within the landscape, through sensitively sculpted swales and rain gardens.
Conservative Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley Council’s Executive Member for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said:
“I am delighted that our aspirations for the regeneration of the Crystal Palace Park have now had the necessary approvals and we can forge ahead with our vision for a revitalised green space for residents and visitors. The efforts of HTA Design, local groups and partners and Crystal Palace Park Trust have come to fruition in our bold heritage project about which we can be truly proud and which will benefit not only residents and visitors now but future generations to come.”
Conservative-run Bromley Council is delivering the wider £52m regeneration plan for the park in partnership with the Crystal Palace Park Trust, who assumed responsibility for the management of the park as part of an historic handover in September 2023.
The development of proposals for the dinosaur sculptures and their surrounding landscape, as well as the new play area and Information Centre have been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the ongoing support of Historic England to help guide restoration, particularly for the dinosaur sculptures.
Further funding is being provided from a number of sources to support the wider plan, including the sale of residential developments next to the park at Rockhills and Sydenham Villas, which received outline planning permission in 2021. Additional grant funding opportunities are also being sought on an ongoing basis and are still required to deliver the full regeneration plan.
