The battle to redevelop Croydon’s Whitgift Centre heated up again this week.
On Thursday, Australian developer Westfield handed a survey of more than 1,300 respondents to the council, claiming that more than nine out of 10 wanted a Westfield in the south London suburb.
The developer’s £1bn plans for Croydon comprise 1.3m sq ft of shops, 150,700 sq ft of leisure and as many as 600 homes.
Some 94% of those surveyed said an “urgent redevelopment” of the 633,400 sq ft Whitgift was needed, with 78% saying it would kick-start the wider regeneration of Croydon.
John Burton, Westfield’s director of development, said: “The people of Croydon have told us there is an urgent need for regeneration and we are working extremely hard to bring the scheme forward.
“We will answer Croydon’s requests for a department store and a greater range of shops, but we will also ensure that small businesses and independent traders are a key part of this regeneration. Westfield will create a centre that Croydon is proud of.”
Speaking exclusively to EG in Sydney, group joint managing director Steven Lowy said: “We are very confident that we would be able to bring first-class retail and leisure facilities to the people in and around Croydon.”
Despite being selected by freeholder and 25% leasehold owner the Whitgift Foundation to bring forward the redevelopment last year, Westfield is at loggerheads with long leaseholders Royal London Asset Management and the Irish Banking Resolution Corporation and their appointed developer, Hammerson.
The trio this week sent a letter to the Foundation urging it to re-enter talks with them as granting legal interest to Westfield would breach the terms of their lease on the Whitgift.
Hammerson said its plans, which would incorporate its Centrale shopping centre, would “bring peace to the town after years of blight”.
