Crystal Palace’s historic character could be destroyed by a “gold rush” when the East London Line(ELL) extension opens next year, Upper Norwood councillor Pat Ryan has warned.

The area has seen a resurgence in recent months despite the recession, with new businesses setting up in the Crystal Palace Triangle ahead of the overground line being completed in June 2010.

But Coun Ryan has called for the council to make sure the conservation area at the heart of the triangle is not trampled over by new developers.

He said: “A great load of new developments are taking place - new blocks of flats and buildings with no character to them - and old buildings are being knocked down to do it.

“The ELL will help bring the prosperity that the area needs - and in fact deserves.

“What must not happen is a free-for-all or gold rush, whereby we have developers being allowed to erect inappropriate developments on prize retail land, and also more importantly demolish the existing architecture.

“To allow this to happen would be sacrilege, and a sell out to my ward voters who have waited patiently to see the new ELL on track and the improvement of this historic area.”

Electricity was switched on in the new southern section of the ELL last month, while a three-car unit has been performing test runs since the beginning of October.

Coun Ryan said: “Crystal Palace has a marvellous chance to be a “destination” at the end of ELL. Lets not miss that opportunity.”