News

Croydon Council approves major £1.4bn town centre redevelopment

Plans to redevelop Croydon town centre have been approved by the council and could bring in as many as 7,000 jobs and 1,000 new homes.

The £1.4bn proposal for the Whitgift Shopping Centre, put forward by the Croydon Partnership, was unanimously given the green light by London Borough of Croydon’s planning committee last night.

Plans are expected to create over 300 shops, including restaurants, cafes, leisure facilities and a multi-screen cinema and bowling alley.

The proposals were first granted planning permission in February 2014, but last October an enhanced outline planning application was submitted featuring key revisions, including more housing and a third level of retail.

Council leader Cllr Tony Newman said approval was “fantastic news” for Croydon after the authority had been working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Greg Hands, minister for London, to push redevelopment in the area.

“The new homes and the thousands of jobs this development will bring shows investors are rightly confident about Croydon as a place to live, work and spend free time,” he continued. “I am delighted contractors will be on site in 2019 to kickstart the exciting transformation of the heart of our town.

“I am pleased we have reached this major milestone in the delivery of a world-class retail and leisure facility and it’s another step to reinforcing Croydon’s growing reputation as one of London’s top destinations.”

Hands also congratulated the borough on accepting the new developments and said he was looking forward to seeing construction begin.

“This major redevelopment of the Whitgift site will bring huge benefits to Croydon and London with thousands of new homes and jobs,” he added.

“This is a great example of local and central government working together with private investors and it shows once again London’s enduring appeal for international investment. As minister for London I’m delighted to be supporting the project, and seeing it secure planning approval.”

Top image: Croydon Council

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become a PSE columnist? If so, click here.