Residents, businesses and community groups are being urged to complete an online survey that is the first step in creating a plan for Thornton Heath to thrive as a place to live, work and shop.
Over the coming months, Croydon Council will work with residents, businesses, local councillors, community groups and landowners to develop an improvement plan for the areas around the station, the high street and Brigstock Road.
The first step is an online survey that is now live and asks Thornton Heath residents, workers and visitors what improvements they would like to see for the area under any future regeneration.
The survey aims to draw out what people love most about Thornton Heath as well as how importantly people rate different priorities, including encouraging a variety of independent businesses; providing new homes local people can afford; creating a more welcoming and less polluted environment; boosting job opportunities; supporting local culture; improving accessibility for walkers and cyclists; upgrading open spaces; and protecting historic landmarks.
The survey will also ask for suggestions on how to improve the local area, and what people most like and dislike about specific areas and buildings in central Thornton Heath.
Run by council-appointed consultants CarverHaggard, the engagement will also include detailed conversations with community groups.
The survey is available on the Shaping Thornton Heath website. If you need to do the survey over the phone, or would like to request a paper version, email: thorntonheath@themeans.co.uk or phone 0203 488 6427.
The survey will be open for four weeks, after which the results will be analysed to identify key community priorities. These will help the council to identify immediate, medium-term and long-term initiatives to improve the area around Thornton Heath high street. Once this is completed, the Thornton Heath regeneration framework will inform the Local Plan review to help influence future local developments. This framework will also provide evidence to support potential community bids for external funding.
The masterplanning comes as part of an ongoing focus on improving the centre of Thornton Heath. This includes turning the concrete forecourt at Ambassador House opposite the train station into a green, healthy space for residents to enjoy.
“Thornton Heath is already an incredibly vibrant and popular place to live, but it has so much more potential that we want to tap into by getting local residents on board.
“We want to ensure Thornton Heath gets the right homes, facilities and environment in future to make Thornton Heath more attractive to everyone. If you have an idea, however small, it may become part of our blueprint that will influence and guide developers, retailers and other businesses looking to invest in your local area.”
Councillor Paul Scott, cabinet lead for planning and regeneration
