Arrowcroft has submitted revised plans for the Croydon Gateway site which for the first time include a home for the Warehouse Theatre, an outspoken opponent of the developer’s proposals.
The revisions propose a new 254-seat venue for the theatre, an increase in the amount of affordable housing, improvements to the scheme’s environmental standards, and more public space.
The changes represent a final bid to iron out potential problems with the £600m proposals ahead of the Compulsory Purchase Order public inquiry on 18 September.
The theatre, which has been on the site for 30 years, has only ever featured in proposals by rival developer and majority site owner Stanhope/Schroders.
Daniel Carter, director at Arrowcroft, said: “We have always wanted to incorporate the theatre but now we have made a formal offer to accommodate them.”
Warehouse Theatre chief executive Ted Craig, who has thrown his weight behind Stanhope/Schroders’ proposals, has reacted angrily to the latest plans.
“The site Arrowcroft has given us is not a prominent location like it has claimed; it is stuck in a corner behind the huge arena,” he said.
This September’s CPO inquiry aims to draw a line under one of the
Central to Arrowcroft’s plans is a council-backed 12,000-seat arena, which Stanhope/Schroders argues is not viable.
Stanhope/Schroders plans to begin work shortly on its own 1.6m sq ft proposals despite the looming CPO inquiry.
Arrowcroft’s Carter countered: “We expect to take control of the site next year and begin work before the end of 2008.”
