The archived pdf Newsletters (1 to 81) were edited by Dr Martin Heath as superviser of the Belair Project, and include attributed contributions by others. Some have been reconfigured here as blog posts for ease of browsing and viewing. (An archive of the original PDFs is available here.) More recent newsletters are posted below.
Filed under Belair Park
Winter Tree ID walk at Sydenham Hill Wood – Sunday 25th January 2015
FOBP reproduce this rather lovely sounding invitation from Daniel Greenwood of the London Wildlife Trust:
Dear all,
Please find attached a poster for our upcoming Winter Tree ID walk at Sydenham Hill Wood on Sunday 25th January from 13:00-15:00. Please meet inside the Crescent Wood Road entrance, wear sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the conditions.
This walk is designed to help you to learn how to identify trees when not in leaf. As remnant ancient woodland, Sydenham Hill Wood has a range of native tree species but also, after the development of Victorian villas and resulting gardens, there are a number of non-native and exotic trees which can also be found. This walk is a good way to get into the natural and cultural history of the Great North Wood, its trees, and its continuing relevance to our way of life today.
Chairman’s Annual Report for year of 2014
The Friends of Belair Park Chairman’s Report for 2014 outlines our mission to protect public green space. Belair Park is part of a network of green spaces which function as essential wildlife corridors across the urban landscape, as well as serving the human community. During 2014, we have worked closely with New Leaf Educational Gardens and with the Lost Effra Project, run by the London Wildlife Trust. We have also collaborated with the London Borough of Southwark, Thames Water and engineering services provider Mouchel to feed local knowledge into the planning and delivery of a scheme to construct flood relief works in Belair Park. We have also been active in questioning current plans by developers ZhongRong to construct a giant commercial complex on the hill top section of Crystal Palace Park. These have involved the summary over-turning of more than a decade of consultation, which had culminated in the explicit recognition of a nature garden area, and of a promise by Bromley Council that no large commercial building would ever be considered for the site.
We thank for your valuable support during 2014.
Our very best wishes for the New Year.
Filed under Belair Park, Friends of Belair Park
Private Eye notes the many gifts accepted by Boris from Chinese business men
Whilst gift-giving is normal practice in the business world, it is generally accepted that public figures should practise extreme caution in receiving gifts. As Private Eye deadpans in its opening sentence from the article ‘China and Qatar gives thanks to Boris & Co’ (12th Dec 2014):
“BORIS JOHNSON’s plan to hand Crystal Palace Park to Chinese corporation ZhongRong so it can build a hotel in the historic London green space has already had a big impact on the London mayor’s hospitality register.” read the rest of the article here
Inside Croydon – who have been tenacious and belligerent even on the ZhongRong proposal – comment on Private Eye’s investigative journalism findings in their article (10.12.2014): Boris aides make a meal of London Mayor’s Chinese giveaway
Filed under Crystal Palace
Why is Crystal Palace Park discussed as though it is a piece of disused real estate by politicians on the Sunday Politics Show
posted by Nadia Mahmud-Salvisberg
Fantastic that the Crystal Palace Park proposal is finally making National News, but we are confounded and angry that the park is referred to as though it is a derelict and disused piece of land. It is a beautiful park where children play and wildlife lives.
As well as making the BBC news (23/11/14), The Crystal Palace development was discussed on the Sunday politics show(starts at 40 minutes). http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04p9cc4/sunday-politics-london-23112014
Filed under Crystal Palace
London Assembly vote to investigate Boris’ Albert Docks deal
C4 news report on Boris Johnson’s Albert Docks property deal:
http://www.channel4.com/news/boris-johnson-abp-chinese-property-deal-royal-albert-dock
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1
Filed under Crystal Palace
Green Dale Fields consultation results are published
From Southwark Council:
Dear local resident
Thank you to everyone who took part in the public consultations for Green Dale Fields. The results of both consultations are available on the website to download from http://www.southwark.gov.uk/greendalefields
We are now busy updating the plans, so we can submit a planning application for the scheme. We will also publicise the updated plans on the website and via this mailing list.
Yours sincerely,
Pippa Krishnan, Southwark Council
Filed under Green Spaces
Bromley Council’s views on the latest Crystal Palace scheme – (primary school, and sports)
In the seemingly never-ending surfacing of new proposals for the Crystal Palace Park (The Multiplex (1997), the Masterplan (??part1), the Masterplan (2008), the ZhongRong rebuild (2013)), many of you will be aware of the latest proposal (2014) for the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is in Crystal Palace Park and a part of it; and the proposal being put forward involves building a primary school (under much debate) and some reworking of the sports facilities – though the devil is in the detail (see document). This is a discussion that is being had whilst the ZhongRong proposal is still ongoing – the new scheme being touted as something that can potentially fit alongside the ZhongRong scheme.
This is Councillor Stephen Carr – the leader of Bromley Council’s view on the scheme:
Filed under Crystal Palace
Hadley Property Group and Dulwich Hamlet FC – Public consultation events on the proposals for Champion Hill – Thursday 27 and Saturday 29 November
Dulwich Hamlet Football Club is a vital part of the community within East Dulwich. Securing a sustainable future for the club to remain at Champion Hill, as part of a mixed-use development, is a key aim of Hadley Property Group, the current owners.
We presented the local community with very initial proposals at an event in July 2014, and after assessing the feedback received at and following this event, and after working with local community groups, residents, supporters and the club itself to refine the proposals, we want to hear the thoughts of the community on the more detailed proposals. On the 27th and 29th, full details will be provided on:
· The new proposed pitch on the already developed astroturf site adjacent to Champion Hill;
· Protecting and maintaining Green Dale Fields, in addition to improving access with the creation of a new, linear park;
· Increased community benefits and access for a much wider range of local residents compared to current facilities;
· Creation of new, public open space; and
· High quality homes.
We are extremely excited to be presenting our more detailed proposals for securing the future of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. We would love to hear your views and urge you to attend the upcoming exhibition to have you say and talk through the proposals with the project team.
The consultation events will be held at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, Edgar Kail Way, London, SE22 8DB on:
· Thursday 27th November from 3pm – 8pm; and
· Saturday 29th November from 10am – 3pm.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact Pavitar Mann at pavitarmann@bellenden.co.uk or on 020 234 3309.
Filed under Dulwich Park
Friends of Belair Park hold their ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Sat. Nov 29th
The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Belair Park will take place on Saturday, November 29 at 12:30 pm in the Francis Peek Centre, Dulwich Park, SE21. The FPC is adjacent to the car park, which may be reached from Old College Gate on College Road.
This will be a no-frills business meeting, focused on organisational issues.
Filed under Friends of Belair Park
Zebra crossing on Gallery Road adjacent to Lovers’ Walk is proposed
FOBP reproduce this e-mail from Chris Mascord of Southwark Council:
Dear Consultees,
Southwark Council is holding a consultation to receive key stakeholder’s comments regarding a proposal to implement a raised pedestrian crossing on Gallery Road, adjacent to Lovers Walk and Belair Park.
Filed under Southwark Council, West Dulwich
