It has been another busy week across our borough. From getting the green light for much‑needed new homes in Regina Road to preparing for our next blitz clean in Selsdon, we are making real progress on the issues that matter to our communities. 

We also have some exciting news about some furry friends we hope to welcome back to Croydon, as we work with Citizen Zoo on proposals to introduce beavers to South Norwood Country Park. 

Delivering 340 new homes for Croydon 

We have reached a major milestone for South Norwood as final planning permission has been granted for the Regina Road redevelopment. This is one of Croydon’s biggest regeneration projects in decades, backed by £54m in funding. It is part of my commitment to improving housing standards across the borough and to making sure all residents are treated with respect.  

We will be building up to 340 safer and greener new homes including at least 215 new Council homes. There will also be green spaces, a preschool and community hub. Our residents have been at the heart of shaping these plans from day one, and I am so grateful for their input. The build works are on track to start later this year, and I look forward to seeing this development come to life. Find out more.  

Opening of New Addington Community Diagnostic Centre 

I was pleased to visit the New Addington Community and Health Diagnostic Centre with Civic Mayor Councillor Richard Chatterjee and Cabinet Member Councillor Yvette Hopley. This state-of-the-art facility is already making a huge difference, offering CT scans, X-rays, cardiac and general ultrasound, electrocardiogram testing, blood pressure monitoring, and GP services. It means residents can now get the treatment they need here in Croydon without having to travel further afield. We partnered with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to support the opening of the centre. It’s built on former Council-owned land sold as part of our work to address historic debt, bringing benefits to residents in several ways. 

Bringing beavers back to Croydon 

Croydon is one of London’s greenest boroughs, home to 127 beautiful parks and open spaces. To build on this we’ve been working closely with urban rewilding specialists Citizen Zoo, who have identified South Norwood Country Park as a potential new home for beavers. 

A detailed feasibility study will now begin, and we’ll be inviting residents to share their views. Bringing beavers back to the borough could deliver significant benefits for local wildlife by boosting biodiversity, whilst residents and visitors alike would enjoy improvements to the visitors centre, which was vandalised. 

We will keep you fully updated as the study progresses. Read more. 

Blitz clean coming to Selsdon 

Looking ahead, our blitz clean team will be in Selsdon from Monday 26 January. The crews will be tackling graffiti, clearing fly-tipping, and giving public spaces a deep clean. These blitz cleans are all about making our streets cleaner and restoring pride in our community. If you spot waste or road issues, report them on Love Clean Streets so we can take action. Together we can keep Croydon looking its best.  

Meeting residents 

This week I had the pleasure of taking part in a lively Question Time session with Year 5 pupils at Elmhurst School in South Croydon. I was impressed by their curiosity, energy and thoughtfulness.  

As always, I remain incredibly proud of the breadth of good work happening here in Croydon, with so much driven by our dedicated, compassionate residents. Thank you everyone and have a good weekend. 

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon