Since 2004 the London Development Agency has been consulting residents and local groups about what they want to see in the park.

In October this year it will unveil its masterplan, which has cost £1.5 million pounds to produce, at an exhibition at Crystal Palace Station. It will then submit it to the park's planning authority, Bromley Council.

Full details of what the LDA's architects, Latz+Partner have planned for the park have not been made public yet.

But some key proposals have been announced and the August issue of Park News, which is distributed to 40,000 people living around the park, included more information on the proposals and said the design process is now complete.

The estimated cost of implementing the masterplan is £67.2million - which does not include the cost of the museum and Energy Tower whose funding is being sourced separately.

This is broken down into three parts. £40.5million would go on a “basic option” of landscaping, restoring the terraces and introducing some new features including sunken gardens and playgrounds.

£17.3million would go to create additional features to make it an "enhanced regional park" including new greenhouses, a cricket pavilion, a restored maze and an adventure playground.

£9.4million is allocated to turn the park into a "national and international destination" which would include a treetop walkway and a Paxton spring.

The LDA hopes to find funding from a range of sources, including the Lottery, but if that fails to provide sufficient money then two housing developments could be built inside the park to raise around £12million.

According to the planners the majority of the masterplan would not be implemented for 15 to 20 years.

We want to keep you as fully informed as possible about the LDA’s plans - which is why we have included details of the key elements we believe are in the masterplan on this page. We will keep it updated as more information emerges.

Please do tell us what you think of the proposals - the LDA has promised to continue to listen to the views of local people. Let us know if you have any more information or alternative proposals you believe should be considered. Simply click here to discuss the matter.

LIKELY KEY ELEMENTS OF THE MASTERPLAN

• A grid of trees, referred to as a "tree palace", on the former Crystal Palace site at the top of the park. The aim of this is to commemorate "the past grandeur of the Palace in a way appropriate to the community." The LDA believes this is a workable compromise that will bridge the gap between those who want a development on the site that will echo the glory of the original building and those who want to remain a haven for wildlife.
  
  
• An open space on the top site which could be used for farmers markets, arts and crafts bazaars and community events.
  
  
• A museum created on the site of the old subway station. This would include a large open arched space at basement level with a glass roof to let in light. The colonnade beneath The Parade would also be opened up for public use. The ground floor would include a reception, lobby and cafe. Above that two floors of gallery space is planned plus one floor of learning space. A roof terrace on top will provide views of the park and beyond. (Cost not included in the masterplan)
  
  
• An 80-metre, hi-tech Energy Tower near the Norwood Triangle which would use wind turbines, solar panels and biomass to generate green energy for the park. The aim is to create an educational focal point for the park and the design will reflect the iconic water towers erected on the site by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1855. (Cost not included in the masterplan)
  
  
• Restoration of the Italian Terraces. This will include the creation of two sunken gardens which will also allow disabled access to the terraces via sloping pathways.
  
  
• Closure of the Caravan Club at Rockhills. Five acres of land to be returned to public use.
  
  
• Two housing developments will be built inside the park - but only as "a last resort" if the park redevelopment cannot be funded from other sources. One will be on 1.1 acres of the Rockhills site reclaimed from the Caravan Club. The other will be erected at Sydenham Gate on 0.9 acres of land land now occupied by the ambulance station, One O'Clock Club and Park Rangers yard. This would make a total of 176 flats.
  
  
• Low rise block to be built on Anerley Hill to house visiting athletes and school parties. This will replace the Lodge tower block in the centre of the park.
  
  
• Much of the central area currently tarmaced, around 12 acres of car parking, roads and restricted access areas, will be returned to parkland.
  
  
• Restoration of the central walkway that used to link the Crystal Palace and Penge Gate.
  
  
• Two large greenhouses at either end of the terraces. One will contain mediterranean plants, the other tropical, butterflies and insects. There is also a proposedcafe in one of the greenhouses.
  
  
• new cricket pavilion built next to the old cricket pitch which was the home ground of cricketing legend WG Grace.
  
  
• A restored maze.
  
  
• An improved concert area.
  
  
• An adventure playground built on the site of the 11 storey Lodge tower block which will be demolished.
  
  
• A treetop walkway running from near the terraces to Crystal Palace Park Road to give visitors a panoramic view of the park.
  
  
• A Paxton spring.
  
  TIMELINE
  
  2007
  August
  - Demolition of turnstiles and footbridge at Crystal Palace Park Station complete and new station gateway re-opens
  October
  - Farm reopens at start of the month - run by Capel Manor Farm
  - masterpan exhibition at Crystal Palace Park Station Autumn
  - masterplan submitted to the planning authority, London Borough of Bromley
  December
  - National Sports Centre closes for up to six months for renovation of heating, filtration and changing rooms.
  
  2008
  Autumn - London Borough of Bromley decision on the masterplan
  
  2009
  March
  - LDA option to take over ownership of the park
  
  2022-2027
  - Current timescale for the completion of the majority of masterplan