Alexandra Palace trustees decided yesterday to reapply to the Charity Commission for an order to grant a long lease to development partner Firoka Group to carry out the redevelopment of the palace.
It made the unanimous decision after a specially convened meeting of the Board following last week’s legal defeat when the High Court ruled the Charity Commission’s decision to allow the redevelopment was ‘fatally flawed’.
Cllr Matt Cooke, chair of the board of trustees, said: ‘The objective of the Trustees of the Palace has always been to bring the 40 % of the palace which is derelict back into full use and to once again attract large numbers of people back here able to enjoy a restored palace in its full glory – in other words to secure a bright future for this glorious site, for all to enjoy.'
High Court
He said last week’s ruling in the High Court provided ‘a roadmap’ it must follow in the coming months to secure its objective.
‘Despite the events of last week, we now have a clear way forward and we are getting on with the business of securing Ally Pally’s future.
'Our message to all those who love the palace is clear: we are on your side and today we started on what we all hope is the last chapter in the fight to save Ally Pally,’ said Cooke.
Firoz Kassam’s Firoka was selected as preferred investment partner in January 2006.
It plans to refurbish the exhibition halls, add a 150-bedroom hotel, bars and restaurants, and provide public leisure facilities in a £55m redevelopment of the historic venue.
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