An enhanced outline planning application for the £1.4billion regeneration of the Whitgift shopping centre has been submitted by the Croydon Partnership.
The joint venture between Westfield and Hammerson intends to create one of the UK’s top 10 shopping and entertainment destinations delivering 5,000 new jobs as well as acting as the catalyst for ongoing wider regeneration of the town.
With a decision on the planning application expected in early 2017, main construction would start in 2018 which means existing Whitgift retailers would continue trading through the 2017 Christmas period, with scheduled completion still on course for 2021.
More than 1.5m sq ft of retail and leisure space will be delivered – adopting the key masterplan and design principles from the original consented scheme – but key additions include:
A third storey of retail and restaurants: To allow for a wider range of new brands, improved leisure facilities and enhanced local space;
A brand new Marks & Spencer store: A purpose-built flagship three-level store on the site of Green Park House which was acquired by the Croydon Partnership last year;
A covered 24/7 public walkway: The East-West Galleria is part of plans for improved access and environment with improved outside public areas at North End and Poplar Walk, better integration with West Croydon and St Michael’s Church; and the creation of a new Wellesley Road car park;
Provision for up to 1,000 new homes: Reflecting Croydon’s resurgence as an appealing place to live the Croydon Partnership is looking to increase the number of homes in its plans, to be delivered across five residential buildings overlooking Wellesley Road
Peter Cole, Hammerson’s chief investment officer, said: “Since securing the original consent we have seen an encouraging level of retail demand with Marks & Spencer requiring a new flagship store which has driven the design evolution. Following a successful resolution of the outline application, we will be advancing the detailed scheme designs, while continuing discussions with retailers ahead of undertaking enabling works.”
The submission follows extensive public consultation with the local community, where the updated plans were overwhelmingly well-received by local businesses and residents, with over 90 per cent of respondents being ‘supportive’ or ‘very supportive’ of the new updated regeneration plans.
The Partnership says it will continue to progress and seek approval for the additional detailed designs for the scheme and continue retailer discussions. This will then allow initial enabling works including some demolition of non-retail elements and moving retailers from Whitgift into Centrale and associated works for the retailer relocations.
It has been working with all stakeholders, including Croydon Council, GLA and TfL to co-ordinate with the five-year town centre infrastructure programme scheduled for delivery from 2017 to 2021. The 3.5-year construction programme for the centre is aligned to fit in with this to minimise disruption during construction and ensure that Croydon is ready to accommodate the influx of shoppers, workers and new residents to the town.
John Burton, Westfield’s head of development, said: “The submission of the planning application is an important milestone for the development with the new enhancements primarily driven by retailers’ demand for space in Croydon. The opening of the new centre will propel Croydon into one of the top retail, dining and leisure destinations in London and will deliver significant economic and social regeneration.”