Boris wins new role as a royal park-keeper

Published: 21 January, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

LONDON’S Royal Parks will be brought under the control of Boris Johnson to make them “more directly accountable to the public,” a government minister said this week.

The announcement, which had been expected by observers of London politics, confirmed that responsibility for the eight Royal Parks – which include Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park – will be transferred to the Mayor of London after the 2012 Olympics.

Under the plans Crown ownership of the Royal Parks will be maintained and the culture secretary will have the power to intervene if the mayor is believed to be “compromising the national interest”.

The Royal Parks are currently managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Tourism and heritage minister John Penrose said: “The current identity and character of the parks must not change, so sensible safeguards against unsuitable developments and activities would be put in place.”

The mayor will have control over the £32million Royal Parks budget and will take decisions on public events and new facilities.