Former conservative transport minister and London mayoral candidate Steven Norris has voiced his support for Arrowcroft’s Croydon Gateway site scheme, saying Croydon is at a crucial “fork in the road”.
Norris, speaking at an Arrowcroft-organised meeting of more than 50 business leaders and local councillors in Croydon last Thursday, believes Arrowcroft’s scheme, which includes a 12,500 seat arena, would better serve Croydon’s needs.
“You can either put up more offices and add to the problems the town centre already has, or you can build the Arrowcroft scheme with its arena, and not only do something really useful for Croydon families, strengthen the local community and create additional business for local traders, but also change people’s perception of Croydon forever.
“Get it wrong and you will have lost a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve Croydon Centre”.
Two competing sides, a Stanhope/Schroders consortium and Arrowcroft, have been pushing forward their rival schemes for the site, next to East Croydon station.
Earlier this month Arrowcroft launched a legal battle to overturn secretary of state Ruth Kelly’s approval for Stanhope/Schroder’s 1.6m sq ft Croydon Gateway scheme.
Arrowcroft is Croydon council’s contracted development partner for a rival scheme on the 13-acre site.
References: EGi News 26/07/06
