Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace and Park.

Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace and Park – introduced the report as set out.

NOTED:

Little Dinosaurs

·               Members of the Committee had visited the Little Dinosaurs site on 9 April 2013 to go through the proposals relating to the building and the surrounding grounds.  Further details of the proposals were set out in page 53 of the report.

·               The operator of Little Dinosaurs has asked for some indication from the Committees as to whether the proposals would be supported before further design work was carried out.

·               The following comments were made by the Committee:

-       There were concerns over the suggested use of artificial turf, as it may spoil the appearance of the area

-       There was an advertisement board on the south west elevation of the building – it was unknown if this was authorised.  Mr Jenkins (operator) explained that the sign was useful to people entering from Muswell Hill as it helped to show where the building was.

-       Other issues were raised at the site visit were the bouncy castle and the sound of the compressor running. 

·               Duncan Wilson suggested that Mr Jenkins could work with the Palace’s design team to develop a more sympathetic / appropriate sign.

Advertising consent application, Alexandra Palace

·               The most common criticism of the Palace was that it was hard to find out any information at the Palace.

·               Appendix 2 detailed the creative concepts and locations for Alexandra Park and Palace branding on the East, South and West façades.

·               Councillor Cooke encouraged members to think of the advertisements as adding momentum to engaging with the public.  The advertisements would give some history or the Palace and provide up to date information.

·               Members made the following comments:

-       Whilst the idea of providing information at the Palace was a good one, careful thought needed to be given to the fascias on the South Terrace – the design should be discreet and not detrimental to the look of the Palace.

-       It would be useful to have some signage at the theatre, perhaps at location 6.  Signs to the theatre inside the ice rink would also be useful.

-       There would be an improvement to the existing signage at the Palm Court entrance, however location 3 (South Terrace) needed to be treated with sensitivity.

-       It was important that events were advertised – but outside events should pay for their own advertising.

-       The advertisement boards were a good opportunity to provide information to people who were travelling past the Palace by bus.

Protection of areas adjacent to the north façade

·               Duncan Wilson advised of the possible measures that may need to be taken in order to make the north façade safe.  The Committees would be asked for their comments (this might be at short notice) should this work need to go ahead.

RESOLVED

i)          To endorse the content of the proposals by the owner of Little Dinosaurs, taking into account the comments made by the Statutory Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee.

ii)         To endorse the advertising consent application to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board, taking into account the comments made by the Statutory Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee.

iii)       To endorse, in principle, the measures required to protect the areas adjacent to the north façade