The Government has today announced £10m in “Housing Infrastructure Funding” to support 1,000 new homes in Croydon Town centre and provide infrastructure to enable the Westfield centre to move forwards.
After years of delay under our Labour-run council the project had been in danger of stalling. This much-needed support will help deliver the transformation of Croydon town centre and also make sure that Westfield goes ahead. The Westfield scheme will deliver 1,000 new homes and 7,000 new jobs. It will help make Croydon the leading commercial centre of south London. This is a huge vote of confidence in Croydon.
Work on Westfield is due to start by early 2019. The Westfield shopping centre will be similar to the existing ones in Stratford and Shepherd’s Bush, and will stand on the site of the current Whitgift centre.
I discussed these problems with then-Minister for London Greg Hands over the summer. The Minister later convened meetings with all parties at his Whitehall offices to agree a support package and to end the deadlock.
I am delighted that the Conservative Government has made this vital investment in Croydon. This is fantastic news for Croydon. It will provide world-leading retail facilities in the town centre, and act as a spur to other much-needed regeneration projects there. We are hopeful that John Lewis will be confirmed as the anchor store before too long. This news will make Croydon town centre one of Europe’s leading growth areas in the coming years.
