Croydon council said “a new chapter” had opened this morning after Arrowcroft’s developer agreement for the town’s Gateway site was terminated.
Private investor Arrowcroft, the council’s preferred partner for the 13-acre site next to East Croydon station, had until midnight last night to challenge the secretary of state’s refusal of its arena-led plans.
No challenge has been filed and the council will now begin talks with Stanhope/Schroders on how the £600m rival plans will be brought forward.
Stanhope/Schroders, which owns most of the site, has consent for a Foster & Partners-designed 1.6m sq ft office-led scheme designed to rival
The plans comprise four office buildings totalling 900,000 sq ft, 560 flats, retail and leisure, a GP’s surgery and a 200-seat community theatre.
In a statement Croydon council said: ““What matters now is building a positive relationship with Stanhope so their scheme can be taken forward on the most prestigious building site in the town.
“We envisage early talks to explore the intentions of the land owner and developer and seek to ensure the regeneration of the site complements the council’s wider ambitions for Croydon’s renaissance.
“The Gateway site has stood empty for far too long – a real blot on our landscape and an unwelcome sight for every train passenger passing through
“Now that planning issues have finally been resolved, there is no longer any obstacle preventing its redevelopment. A chapter has closed and a new one opened. Our early talks with the developer will aim at achieving a happy ending.”
