Plans have been approved for a £17.75million revamp of Crystal Palace Park.

The plans were approved unanimously by Bromley’s Development Control Committee.

Listed building consent has also been granted for the tidal lakes and dinosaurs, Italian Terraces and the Paxton Bust, which means these works will start in 2025.

As part of the wider plan to reinvigorate the Grade-II listed park, detailed plans for this phase, worth £17.75m, were developed by a team of specialist consultants led by HTA Design.

Bromley Council has said that “extensive consultation and engagement with local residents and groups” took place as plans for this phase were progressed.

This involves:

  • 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.

There are also plans to “enhance” the park’s 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.

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor 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.”

Natalia Roussou, Landscape Design Director at HTA Design said: “This is a major step towards the regeneration of Crystal Palace Park, taking us closer to reimagining Britain’s parks as climate resilient, biodiverse and accessible spaces for all.

“By celebrating and protecting the site’s historic significance through the restoration and unearthing of its beautiful listed features, the proposals will re-establish one of London’s legacy parks as an international destination.”

Bromley Council is delivering the wider £52million 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 a handover in September 2023.

Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Palace Park Trust said: "We're thrilled to have reached this major milestone in the history of Crystal Palace Park and the good news couldn't be any more timely, with 2024 marking the 170th anniversary of the opening of this unique landscape.

“The regeneration works that have been approved are vital to ensuring that the park's heritage assets are taken off the Heritage at Risk Register and protected for the benefit of generations to come.

“Our local community has long been aware of quite how special this park is.

“Once the works are completed, the Trust looks forward to sharing the story of 'the world's first theme park' and welcoming many more people to this corner of south London in the years to come."