Developers are lining up for a 1m sq ft redevelopment of the north of Crawley town centre.
British Land, Centros Miller, Kier Property and Land Securities have all made approaches to the council, which will draw up a shortlist in February.
The £500m, 35-acre scheme will be based on the development principles statement adopted by the council in November last year.
The statement said that the redevelopment should include approximately 730,000 sq ft of shops – an increase of 650,000 sq ft – which would include a 180,000-240,000 sq ft department store over three or four floors and another large store of around 150,000 sq ft.
John Lewis is expected to take the flagship department store.
A source close to one of the bidders said: “Without question this is a very exciting opportunity, but a certain amount of caution needs to be exercised. There is an assumption that John Lewis will commit to the scheme, an assumption that compulsory purchase orders will be executed and certain assumptions on planning. Assumptions can be dangerous and this needs to be thought out carefully.”
Alongside the shops, the council is asking for 400 homes and around 200,000 sq ft of offices, including a replacement for the town hall.
Developers have until the end of January to submit a declaration of interest. After the council has drawn up a shortlist, bids will be expected by the end of June and a preferred developer chosen in July.
