Earlier this week the next step in creating a destination Burgess Park we can all be proud of took place – granting of Planning Permission.

I was first involved when the chair person of Southwark Cyclists when we obtained significant funding for the central avenue. My great aunt’s drapers shop is under Burgess Park along Albany Road and my great grandparents were born on streets where Burgess Park now is.

My Lib Dem colleagues had been trying for many years to obtain funding until successfully winning £2M from the Mayor of London and another £4M from Aylesbury New Deal.

£6M is a lot of money but to be honest is just the start. Ultimately Burgess Park will need £20M to £30M so it will continue to be a long journey before it’s truly finished.

By March 2012 Burgess Park will have improved entrances, redundant roads and pathways removed, more wildlife habitats created, and the lake expanded and improved.