Massive redevelopment of Croydon town centre includes shopping and housing

Croydon council has given the go-ahead to a £1bn Westfield and Hammerson development in the town centre.

The council’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans, designed by Allies & Morrison and Leonard Design Architects, last night.

The development includes 300 shops and between 400 and 600 homes. There will also be new restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and a bowling alley.

John Burton, Westfield’s director of development, said the approval was a “significant step forward” for the redevelopment.

He added: “We believe that our proposed £1bn investment into the transformation of Croydon’s shopping and leisure offer has the potential to act as a major catalyst for the wider physical and social regeneration of the town. The support we received from the council further strengthens that belief.”

Peter Cole, chief investment officer of Hammerson, said the scheme would “re-establish Croydon as the retail destination of south London”

Council leader Mike Fisher said: “We anticipate that should this development progress it will act as a magnet for jobs, visitors and investment into Croydon, complementing our plans to revitalise the borough and bring in thousands of new homes, jobs and business opportunities.”