Last week, Chinese billionaire Ni Zhaoxing unveiled his £500m plans to rebuild Crystal Palace.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said it was an "exciting vision", but stressed the importance of developers consulting the local community.

So reporter Louisa Clarence-Smith went on to the streets of Crystal Palace to see what residents think...

 

Your Local Guardian:

Andrew Keable, 53, antiques dealer (left in picture): "It's a shame that the original building burnt down. It looks stunning so it would be lovely if they could rebuild it."

"But the fact that it will be privatised is a bit iffy. If it's in private hands and it's not a traditional park that would be a shame."

"People come here from all over on the weekend as part of their day out, so if the green space was gone they might not want to come anymore."

David Roper, 61, proprietor at Crystal Palace Antiques & Modern (right in picture): "We think it will be great because it will boost the local economy."

"But it needs to be done to fit in with the local area. It doesn't want to look like Disney does it?"

"We hope they will do some antique fairs."

 


Your Local Guardian:

Patricia Jones, 65, retired: "I'd like to see that."

"My Dad used to tell me everything about Crystal Palace when I was young."

"I have lived here all my life and we used to have lovely shops. But now we've just got Iceland."

 


Your Local Guardian:

Satya Panigerahi, 29, student: "As long as they don't use up all the green space it's ok. I go running there so I'll still use it."

"I don't like big crowds though so I hope it doesn't become like central London round here."

"I was talking to my flatmates about it and they didn't even know it was happening."

"I think it's only people who've been living here for years that care."

 


Your Local Guardian:

Yaa Ankoma Butcher, 36, advertising manager: "The hotel up the road is awful so I personally don't think it's a bad thing."

"I go there a lot with my baby for a walk so I hope there is still plenty of space for a leisurely stroll."

"The more tourists you have, the more spending you have, which is good for the local economy."

"If they could put in swings for children and somewhere nice to eat with locally sourced produce that would be awesome."

 


Your Local Guardian:

Jackie Major, 48, unemployed: "I think it's wonderful and I can't wait for it to happen."

"It will bring new businesses to the area. I'd like to apply for a job in catering at the hotel."

"I'm not worried about the privatisation because someone will look after the park. It's a family park but it looks a bit drab at the moment."

 


Your Local Guardian:

Fiona Swann, 46, IT project manager: "I think there should have been a public consultation. This land belongs to us and we have a right to know specifically what they have in mind."

"If it's just the original imprint of Crystal Palace that's ok, but if it starts to encroach on the park that would be a problem - it's very popular."

"Most people are supportive of the development, but one that will benefit the whole community."

"I imagine it will have to be a profit-making machine given the scale of it. Apart from the hotel, why would someone choose to spend that kind of money in this area?"

 


Your Local Guardian:

Giles Whittaker, 43, handyman: "The idea of re-building Crystal Palace as it was built sounds like PR."

"The way it was built as a fabricated cast-iron framing with curved glass panels would be incredibly inefficient in modern architectural terms."

"It worried me that they wouldn't be able to achieve anything close to the original so you would have an eyesore on the landscape instead of a beautiful palace."