It was confirmed last night that the critical Westfield Shopping Centre scheme in Croydon town centre will now go ahead, with work due to start by the end of next year. The project will help to transform the town centre, create 7,000 jobs and entails building 1,000 new flats on the site as well. 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. Further details are at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-london-welcomes-14-billion-croydon-redevelopment
The Government had to step in to support the scheme after years of dithering over s106 terms by the current Labour council in Croydon. After I discussed these problems with Minister for London Greg Hands over the summer, he convened meetings with all parties at his Whitehall offices to agree a support package and to end the deadlock. I was delighted to have been able to support the Minister at these meetings together with Conservative Group Leader Cllr Tim Pollard and others. Following this, the planning application was submitted and then passed unanimously last night.
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. I am hopeful that John Lewis will be confirmed as the anchor store before too long.
This news will make Croydon Europe’s leading growth area in the coming years.
