Cross Bones News
On behalf of Transport for London (TfL), Drivers Jonas Deloitte are currently marketing the entire site as 'Landmark Court' for potential development from 2012. The planning guidelines make clear the particular constraints relating to the Crossbones Graveyard area, which is marked on the site plans as public open land. These guidelines are not binding on developers, but Friends of Crossbones will seek to ensure that any prospective developer is aware that any attempt to build on the burial ground would entail enormous logistical problems, prohibitive costs and a public relations disaster. By contrast, an appropriate development on the northern part of the site, linked with the establishment of a public garden of remembrance on the graveyard would win considerabvle local support and could be a PR triumph. The importance of protecting the graveyard was made explicit in a 2008 question from Valerie Shawcross AM to London Mayor Boris Johnson. In reply to her follow-up question in 2011, The Mayor stated: 'I am aware of this issue and recognise the cultural and historic importance of the Crossbones burial ground. The Deputy Mayor for Transport is discussing this issue with Transport for London (TfL)'
London Assembly Question No: 1938 / 2008 Cross Bones Graveyard - SE1
Valerie Shawcross AM (Lambeth & Southwark, Chair of Transport Committee): TfL own a very interesting piece of history in Redcross Way SE1 - Cross Bones Graveyard, an un-consecrated medieval graveyard for prostitutes. The land is currently enclosed in London Underground boards, but has a gate with a bronze plaque describing its history. As Chair of TfL can the Mayor ensure that Officers of TfL contact the Friends of Cross Bones Graveyard and start a discussion with them to protect this piece of London's more interesting past?
The Mayor (Boris Johnson): The site is to be used as a Thameslink 2000 project works site between now and 2015. Future development plans have yet to be worked up but will be prepared recognising the archaeological interest of this site. This will include consultation with all parties with an interest in the site.
Ms. Shawcross also wrote to Peter Hendy (Commissioner of Transport, TFL) expressing her 'long-term concern [...] for the future of Cross Bones Graveyard [...] I would hope to see the planning brief for any future development on the site make some accomodation for the graveyard [...] perhaps a piece of public realm garden and a memorial or stylish courtyard where visitors can be taken to pay respects and hear the story in full. It is of course desirable and probably inevitable that the depot site will be developed after completion of the Thameslink Project, but it is extremely important that the Cross Bones Graveyard is recognised within that future development and some space allocated for public access and appreciation.'
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