Anything is possible in Croydon, the borough’s director of place Shifa Mustafa has told the Develop Croydon Conference.
She told the 2017 event, entitled Meanwhile in Croydon, that when she took up her role in 2016 she was taken aback by a lack of faith that some of the major changes taking place in the borough.
“The Westfield/Hammerson development is a gamechanger but what surprised me when I came to Croydon was that there was a lot of doubt and disbelief about whether it would actually happen,” she said. “I was told we’ve heard it all before.
“Equally with Fairfield Halls there was a lot of disbelief but it is happening. We have got an operator and an event organiser and construction is on site. By the end of next year you will see performances in Fairfield Halls.
“Another scheme that is happening is One Lansdowne Road. I remember last year reading about the planning approval, but again this has now got through planning and has also got through stage two of the Mayor’s office. It’s going to be the second tallest building in the country in a truly mixed use development here in Croydon.”
Ms Mustafa also pointed to the progress at Taberner House, Ruskin Square and Morello as evidence that Croydon really is changing and pointed to St George’s House, better known as the Nestle Tower, as the next major scheme that will be her priority to get off the ground.
“St George’s House has been bought by Chinese developers who are going to use the existing consent,” she added. “That is the critical piece now that is going to make a big difference.”
She pointed out that infrastructure – with 39 projects in the Croydon Growth Zone firmed up – and the focus on culture were also helping to change the face of the borough.
And she stressed that it wasn’t just about the centre of Croydon – with the renovation of the listed Ashburton Hall, the building of New Addington Leisure Centre with housing around it, and a comprehensive scheme in Thornton Heath
“For local people it’s a real sign that they are benefiting from things that are happening in Croydon,” Ms Mustafa added.
“Delivering affordable housing is a real challenge because if people can’t afford to live here we’re not going to achieve our objectives.
“That’s why Brick by Brick, our own housing company, has as much coverage around the borough as possible. So far, of the 1,000 new homes being delivered on the 30 consented sites we have 45 per cent affordable.
“And because we own our own company we now feel developers’ pain around viability. We will have a better relationship now that we have that commercial perspective.
“I hope you want to be a part of this journey in Croydon because it is a borough where everything is possible, probably more potential than any other place in London.
“If you believe, like I do, then I think we’re halfway there.”