Boris Johnson has thrown the South Bank Centre redevelopment scheme into disarray by declaring his support for the preservation of the skate park situated in the building’s undercroft.
The mayor told a meeting at City Hall that he supports the redevelopment plans but not the relocation of the park which has been used by skate boarders for decades.
The controversial proposal will see the brutalist cultural complex topped with a glass pavilion that will ‘float’ above the refurbished buildings.
These plans were mocked by opponents of the scheme this week, when they produced images of other London landmarks, including the Royal Albert Hall, with the glass structure sitting above them.
Crucial to the redevelopment, according to its supporters, is the relocation of the skate park to Hungerford Bridge to allow for the creation of commercial units – including shops and cafés – in the undercroft.
This aspect of the plans has proved equally controversial and has been vociferously opposed by the skateboarding community, which recently presented over 27,000 objections to the plans to Lambeth Town Hall.
Now, to the dismay of the South Bank Centre board, their campaign has won the support of the mayor who will be asked to pass judgement on the application later this year.
Mr Johnson said; “The skate park is the epicentre of UK skateboarding and is part of the cultural fabric of London.
“This much-loved community space has been used by thousands of young people over the years.
“It attracts tourists from across the world and undoubtedly adds to the vibrancy of the area – it helps make London the great city it is.”
He added that he is encouraged by the plans but they should not be at the detriment of the skate park which should be retained in its current location.
Campaign group Long Live South Bank (LLSB) has issued a press release in which they say they are ‘delighted’ by the mayor’s intervention.
The group is now calling on the South Bank Centre to withdraw its current planning application for the Festival Wing – and the replacement park under Hungerford Bridge – and to work with LLSB to guarantee the current park’s long-term future.
They also call for the withdrawal of the threat to close the undercroft regardless of the plans, and for its protection for future generations.
Lambeth Council has not yet reached a decision on the planning application but, as it will ultimately be referred back to the mayor, Mr Johnson’s position is seen as crucial to the redevelopment.
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