Listed dinosaur sculptures to be restored as part of £22m Crystal Palace Park upgrade
Funding for the regeneration of Crystal Palace Park, including the restoration of its Grade I listed dinosaur sculptures, has been secured.
The upgrade will be paid for by the long-anticipated sale of land next to the park for affordable housing, Bromley council has announced.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “This is another milestone completed in the regeneration of this historic park, securing funding needed to make this comprehensive regeneration plan viable.”
Almost £22million is ring-fenced by the council to pay for the restoration of 30 dinosaurs as well as the creation of a dinosaur-themed playground, a visitor centre, community centre and café.
With works set to go ahead this year, the deal will also see 3.76 acres of currently inaccessible land brought back into the park.
Cllr Bear said: “Residents will soon see exciting works commencing on restoring the park’s beloved heritage and thanks to the sale more improvements to the park will soon be possible.”
The dinosaur sculptures were created between 1853 and 1855 by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and sit on an island in the park.
The creatures are thought to be the world’s first attempt to model extinct animals at life-size, based on fossil remains as evidence.
Cllr Bear said: “I am pleased that we have managed to secure affordable housing from the sale while still maximising value for the works, which means more of the homes we need will be built to help combat the significant housing pressures we are facing.”
Purchaser Clarion Housing Group is set to build two housing development sites, Rockhills and Sydenham Villas, with a total of 210 new homes. These will be a mix of social rent and shared-ownership properties.
Richard Cook, chief development officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “This development will not only provide high-quality, sustainable homes for local people but also contribute to the regeneration of one of London’s most historic green spaces.
“By working in partnership with Bromley council and the Crystal Palace Park Trust, we are ensuring that both housing and heritage can thrive together, benefiting the community for generations to come.”
Outline planning permission was granted in 2021, as part of the wider regeneration plan which is now being co-delivered by Bromley council and the community-led Crystal Palace Park Trust.
Victoria Pinnington, chief executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust said: “This fantastic investment in the park is the cornerstone for our ambitious plans to preserve, restore and reinvent Crystal Palace Park.
“As well as returning more park land to public enjoyment, it allows us to move forward in earnest with the regeneration of the park, for the benefit of all our visitors. And in time, we look forward to welcoming some new neighbours to our park-going community.”
Funding from the sale comes following a number of grants secured by the council to support upcoming works, including £5m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The restoration works will continue to be supported by Historic England.
Pictured top: Mantellodon in Crystal Palace Park (Picture: Ian Wright/ Wikimedia Commons)
