Plans to transform College Green, the underused area between Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, have been approved, marking an important step forward in Croydon’s town centre regeneration.
Planning permission has been granted to create a high‑quality green space with areas for play, relaxation and informal gatherings. The redesigned park will provide a greener, more welcoming and accessible route linking Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, improving the experience for people moving through this key part of the town centre.
The site forms part of the historic Fair Field, which was home to the Walnut Fair, later known as Croydon Fair, held for centuries until the 1860s. The transformation of College Green will reconnect the area with its historic role as a place for people to meet, gather and enjoy, creating a space the local community can once again take pride in.
A team lead by MICA Architects were appointed by the Council to develop the proposals, building on extensive engagement with local people. Feedback from a public exhibition, online survey, workshops with Croydon College students and discussions with community groups helped shape the final design that has now been approved.
The scheme supports Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s commitment to revitalising central Croydon and creating a cleaner, safer and more attractive town centre for everyone. It is one project of the Mayor’s Town Centre Regeneration Programme, with improvements progressing at Minster Green and Surrey Street, alongside recent investment including the new Wellesley Road crossing and public realm upgrades to George Street and Dingwall Road.
“The approval of planning permission for College Green is a major moment for Croydon. This transformation will turn a long‑underused space into a vibrant, high‑quality green destination that people can enjoy, helping to make the town centre greener, more welcoming and better connected.
“College Green sits at the heart of Croydon’s history. Once home to the famous Walnut Fair, it has always been a place where people came together. These plans will breathe new energy into the site, restoring it as a focal point for community life and a place residents can be proud of once again.
“This project is part of a wider programme of regeneration already taking shape across the town centre. We are investing in Croydon, and residents can already see the difference. It is an exciting time for our borough and I’m looking forward to seeing College Green play its part in Croydon’s next chapter.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
The project is funded through Croydon’s Growth Zone, a business rate uplift retention funding mechanism which funds and delivers infrastructure and regeneration in the town centre. Projects within the Growth Zone Programme are delivered by the Council with the support of partners, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL).
Image is courtesy of MICA Architects.
