The plans for Croydon’s stunning new cultural quarter at College Green – one of the largest regeneration projects ever approved in the borough – were given the thumbs up by council’s planning committee last night (Thursday 23 February).
As a key part of Croydon’s overall £5.25 billion regeneration, the ambitious development will see College Green and Fairfield transformed into a vibrant destination for arts, education and culture. The plans include more than 2000 much-needed new homes, various new high-quality public spaces, a brand new college, a 2000 sq metre art gallery, new shops and office space, all with the refurbished Fairfield Halls at its heart.
Yesterday’s meeting saw the planning committee approve detailed plans for the first major development phase, which includes the demolition of the multi-storey car park to make way for 218 new homes, many of them affordable. Members also approved the detail of the award-winning design for the new Fairfield Halls, where an extensive programme of works to strip out and prepare the building for construction has been underway since last summer.
The overall College Green regeneration, which is being delivered by the council’s development company Brick by Brick (www.bxbdevelopment.com), is taking place over a number of phases. The scheme has been developed in consultation with the various landowners on the wider site and these discussions will continue as the scheme progresses.
“I’m absolutely delighted this project has been approved. College Green is a hugely symbolic project for Croydon and crucial to the borough’s overall regeneration and growth ambitions. The proposal will revitalise an under-used and tired area, turning it into a vibrant public space and reconnecting it with the rest of the town centre. It will also supply much-needed new homes and jobs as well as fantastic arts, leisure and educational facilities. It’s fantastic news for everyone in Croydon.”
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning
Earlier this month the Government also gave plans for Croydon’s new cultural quarter a massive thumbs up, awarding them a £14.2 million cash boost from the Coast to Capital Partnership for contribution to growth in the region.
The planning report and application can be viewed online here.
ENDS
Notes
The design for Fairfield Halls had been well-received prior to approval, winning a NLA (New London Architecture) award in the Conservation and Retrofit category in September 2016. The proposals had also benefited from input from the Theatres Trust, whom Croydon Council invited to carry out a Peer Advisory Review and provide comments on the design of the Fairfield Halls component. Following the review, a number of changes were made to the scope of the project, including changing the seating capacity in the Ashcroft Theatre and altering the get-in plans to the rear of the building.
