The shadow secretary of state for housing has visited Croydon to hear about the borough’s affordable housing and regeneration plans.
John Healey MP, met with the deputy leader of the council Alison Butler, and Managing Director and CEO of the council’s house building company Brick by Brick, Colm Lacey, who showed him key sites in the town centre on Wednesday evening.
The walking tour included visits to Ruskin Square, Boxpark Croydon, Fairfield Halls and College Green, where the plans for the borough’s new cultural quarter, including the delivery of 218 new homes, were discussed.
Time was also taken to talk over residential developer HUB’s proposed redevelopment plans for the former Taberner House site and The Queen’s Gardens, which if planning approval is given, will bring 514 new homes, of which at least 30% will be affordable housing, to the heart of the town centre.
Mr Healey said: “I’m impressed with the fantastic energy of Croydon, it’s very striking and hits you as soon as you come out of East Croydon Station. A lot of people across the country are talking about Croydon because it’s a can do place. The council has made it a living wage borough, made affordable housing a priority and is making the refurbishment of Fairfield Halls happen.
“The innovation of Brick by Brick also stands out to me, even against housing companies other councils in the country have set up. There is no fat profit margin and the mixture of homes they can build to include affordable and social housing, better meet the needs of Croydon residents.”
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning
“We were delighted to welcome the shadow secretary to Croydon and discuss the regeneration and new affordable, high quality housing planned for the borough. John’s expertise on housing policy is to be valued and we are glad he was impressed with what we are trying to achieve in Croydon.”
