Conservation Action Plan     Possible future uses for BPP Mansion

The Future of the Park

Beckenham Place Community Trust

This is the shortlisted name of the new Trust which is being formed as a partnership between the Lewisham Environment Trust, Enviroworks, Friends of BPP, and other interested parties including architectural historians, journalists, buildings conservationists.

The majority of the Trust’s board are Lewisham residents which belies the opinion that most of those interested in the park are from Beckenham or Bromley and has always been a political sticking point. The first meeting took place on 26^th March.

The aims will be to bid for the management of Beckenham Place Park Mansion and possibly other parts of the park such as the Homesteads and Stables.

The aims, objectives and mission statement are already in draft form and our members on the embryo board of trustees can confidently support the actions we have witnessed so far.

We have already and from the past, a long list of possible uses and activities which include education and training, community events and participation of various groups. Unfortunately Lewisham Council are still offering a division of the park into Mansion occupier and Parks management to include the Stable block. It has long been an aim and activity of the Friends to provide a visitor centre and interpretation of the parks history and ecology.

There will be a target of fundraising from grants, bequests, donations, voluntary work and the long term retention of the buildings for public access and use is a priority.

We have long appreciated that the Friends need partners and other resources to achieve our aim of conserving the park and buildings. Since the last round of consultation when the people of Lewisham, Bromley and other areas that use the park as well as a number of people who weren’t aware of the parks presence confirmed that the local community want the park and buildings to remain as a whole and in public ownership and use.

There will be a meeting of Lewisham Environment Trust and Friends members on the 11^th April (Sunday at 2pm in the Mansion) and our members are welcome to hear the latest news.

The new trust is under some pressure to express its interest to Lewisham Council, prepare a management bid and to become fully established and constituted.

We will try to keep a full record of progress available in the visitor centre and on our website. Do come along on the 11^th if you are able.

 (previous  comments  regarding the  Future)

The only process which is guaranteed it seems for Beckenham Place Park is apparently endless 'consultations' to find acceptable solutions (which London Borough of Lewisham find acceptable).  There  are currently interested local individuals and groups who would like to explore a community solution and ensure community use of the Mansion and perhaps other buildings in the park.

Here are links to a conservation action plan for the buildings and an assessment of possible future uses for the park. The favourite in our opinion is some kind of training or educational facility possibly including gallery and exhibition facilities and perhaps being a possible event venue.

Inappropriate developments and actions which make us doubt the Lewisham Council appreciation of the whole site include the establishment of a 'green waste procession site'  on the edge of ancient woodland and on the route of supposedly scenic routes of the Green Chain and Capital Ring long distance walks. Bringing contractors vehicles in close proximity to park users is a further concern.