New improvements to Crystal Palace Park are underway following the ZhongRong Group saga – but Mayor Boris Johnson came under fresh fire over the debacle.

Following the end of the controversial exclusivity agreement with Chinese developers the ZhongRong Group in February, London Mayor Boris Johnson was criticised over his handling of the plans in a motion passed at City Hall today (July 1).

Green Assembly Member (AM) Darren Johnson tabled the motion over ‘secretly brokered deals’ with the Chinese, which was seconded by Labour’s Fiona Twycross.

He said: “We need a new way forward for local people who have been excluded by the Mayor’s secretive deals and discussions with developers.

“The Mayor of London’s interventions have been completely counter-productive and set back the improvements plans and funding for them which was already in place.”

The motion also criticised the loss of £4.5m in Heritage Lottery Funding due to the envisaged private investment from the Chinese developers.

But Conservative AM James Cleverly described the motion as containing ‘weasel words’ and voted against it, while fellow Tory AM Steve O’Connell broadly agreed but abstained from voting.

Today's debate follows plans for a new form of governance which are underway.

These include producing a regeneration plan, creating a sustainable business model and implementing aspects of the Masterplan.

MORE TOP STORIES Some projects given the green light include conservation of the dinosaurs, building a new café, conservation of the six sphinxes, building a new skate park, feasibility costs, the removal of hard standing and turnstiles which totals £2.16m.

They are being funded through £1.85m from the Greater London Assembly (GLA) budget towards delivery of the scheme, £160,000 already provided by the GLA and £160,000 from Bromley Council’s capital receipts.

A total of £495,000 will also be allocated from capital receipts to fund two new full-time posts, and to explore setting up a community-led management body or Trust to manage the park.

The money will also go towards seeking specialist advice regarding developing the top site.

The setting up of a community led model of governance was welcomed by some local stakeholders.

Martin Tempia, chair of the Crystal Palace Park Community Stakeholder Group, saying: “After the uncertainty caused by the ZhongRong proposal, we now have the opportunity to plan for its future.”

The latest plan builds on £2.4m of improvements already underway, and comes as the first round of community grant funding –up to £20,000 – for community groups to deliver projects in the park ended.

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