A protest site was set up, which cost Bromley millions of pounds to evict after a year-long occupation. Numerous legal actions were taken and protests were held at Bromley Council’s headquarters and at UCI cinemas (the company to run the multiplex) up and down the country. Finally, after a lengthy battle, the developers, London & Regional Properties, backed down and the fight was won….or so we thought.

Following the eviction of the protest site the land remained fenced off until autumn last year when it was finally opened up for public use. In the months that followed there was heavy fly-tipping on parts of the land, which Bromley Council made no attempt to clear up or prevent. This neglect has been typical of Bromley’s behaviour since it acquired the land following the disbanding of the GLC.

Parks and green open spaces are very important in a city the size of London. The tree-lined hill-top at Crystal Palace is home to an abundance of wildlife and is a stopover point for migrating birds. It affords fantastic views due to being the highest point in South London and is a Grade II listed park as it is the site of the former Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibition of 1852.

Earlier this year, at a secret meeting, Bromley Council decided to erect 2.4m high plywood hoardings to enclose the land, thus blocking public access. Their reason for doing this was allegedly to prevent further incursions on to the land by fly-tippers by creating grass "bunds" (humps to prevent vehicles driving onto the site) which need time to grow. A moment's thought shows you this doesn’t make any sense, since they could just turf them over! And this does not appear to be a reason to block pedestrian access. Large advertising panels, 20 feet high, are going to be mounted behind and above the fence in order to pay the £25,000 it allegedly cost to put up. According to Bromley, however, the final bill for the so-called ‘clear-up’ will be footed by developers. The unsightly fence, which unlawfully blocks a right of way, went up without planning permission or public consultation, which the leader of Bromley Council, Michael Tickner, justified by saying that it was only temporary.

The huge local opposition has once again swung into action. There have been meetings with Bromley’s councillors where representatives from local groups have suggested alternative ways to prevent fly tipping such as bollards or a more aesthetically pleasing fence. Bromley has so far ignored all suggestions. When councillors were asked how long the fence will remain in place, their answers varied from six months to two years, and development on the land is extremely likely. Now that it looks like a building site, it will be more attractive to potential developers.

The first public meeting of local residents outraged by Bromley’s actions attracted over 50 people and led to further local campaigning including the creation of a phone tree to contact supporters. A candle-lit vigil is to be held on 21st September to get as many people there as possible in order to photograph the event. This will send a message to any prospective developer that they will meet with major opposition should they attempt to build on the land. There are also many possibilities for more direct action, both at Bromley’s headquarters and on the land itself.

Write to show opposition to this enclosure of public open space to:
Cllr Michael Tickner, Leader of Bromley Council,
Email:  michael.tickner@bromley.gov.uk
Mr David Bartlett, Chief Executive,
Email:  david.Bartlett@bromley.gov.uk
Cllr Chris Gaster, Penge & Anerley Ward
Email:  chris.gaster@bromley.gov.uk
Or by post to any of the above at:
Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH

Copy your letters to the local press:
South London Press, 2 Leigham Court Rd, SW16 2PD
The Kentish Times, Roxby House, Station Rd, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7EJ
The Croydon Advertiser, Advertiser House, Bartlett St, South Croydon CM2 6TB
News Shopper, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT