Mayor backs plans for houses in Crystal Palace Park

Boris Johnson has given his backing to plans to build 180 houses in a south London park.

The Mayor has written to Bromley council to signal he will approve the plans for land in Crystal Palace Park.

The London Development Agency proposals are part of a £100million package of plans for the Grade II* listed park.

The LDA wants the sale of the houses to pay for park facilities, including a museum, an information kiosk and a sports centre.

In his letter to Bromley council, which will decide on the plans next Tuesday, the Mayor wrote that the proposals "would be a significant benefit to south London".

The letter will raise concerns that the Mayor is reneging on election promises.to protect open land from "greedy developers".

John Payne of the Crystal Palace Community Association said: "We are totally opposed to the building of any houses on park land."