Canning & Clyde Road Residents Association

E Croydon Gateway

East Croydon Gateway Site

11 June 2006

What happened last time? Croydon Council had refused to consider Stanhope Schroeder's planning application for the site. Consequently - because of the size, importance and location of the site - the planning application and the public inquiry's Inspector's Report was called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Secretary of State has agreed with the Inspector's Report, which thought highly of the Stanhope mixed development. Planning permission was granted by the Secretary of State on 1 June 2006.

The Arrowcroft arena scheme, for which planning permission was previously granted by Croydon Council, has been called in by the Secretary of State owing to its lack of detail. The outcome of this call in will not be known for many months.

Meanwhile, back at Croydon Council, there has been a change of administration following the local elections on 4 May. The former Labour led council, which gave heavyweight support to a 12,500 seat arena, are no longer in power. Almost as a parting gesture, just before their defeat, they instigated a compulsory purchase order for the whole of the East Croydon Gateway site. This would fulfill part of Croydon Council's contractual commitment to developers, Arrowcroft, who the Council did wish to see develop the 12,500 seat arena on the site.

It remains to be seen which scheme - Stanhope or Arrowcroft - the new Conservative Council will favour. Currently they say they are considering all options.

Stanhope Schroeder are in a very powerful position. They own all the land, they have the money and the Secretary of State has given them planning permission. They aim to start work before the end of the year with completion within two years. The only thing that can stop them is if Croydon Council continues with the compulsory purchase order.