Building of new leisure centre for Waddon comes a step closer
By Ian Austen
ian.austen@essnmedia.co.uk
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READY TO GO: Steve O'Connell, with a picture of how the leisure centre will look, as demolition starts
The building of a new swimming pool and leisure centre for Waddon came another step closer this week as demolition of the former Red Gates special school began.
The demolition comes on top of news that the Government has joined the Greater London Authority in saying it will not be calling the proposals in for further investigation.
Steve O'Connell, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is great news from the Government and means it is all systems go for the project."
He added that knocking down Red Gates, off Purley Way, was "the next stage in a journey" to provide the leisure centre which has already seen the former Propeller pub and the Waylands Day Centre demolished to make way for the development.
The project is being developed through the Urban Regeneration Vehicle partnership between the council and developer John Laing.
They working with the Hyde Housing Association, which owns part of the 2.9-hectare site.
The development comprises of a 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, fitness gym, sports hall, rooms for sports and community use and a children's education centre.
There will also be 187 homes, 119 of which Hyde is delivering as affordable homes.
Cllr O'Connell added: "This is a genuinely exciting project and is a great way of recycling old, redundant buildings into a modern sustainable development in line with the needs and wishes of local people."
4 Comments
by Anon, croydon
Friday, March 26 2010, 9:51AM
“So the child should suffer too eh? the 3rd.
Oh look its all the perfect people spouting as usual, just be thankful you have that kind of life. And don't be so bitter about it. The government are too blame, you got a problem, take it up with them.”
by The3rd, Croydon
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 6:44PM
“Affordable homes? Is that the new word for council houses? And building 119 of them?
Is this to support the baby making single parent teenagers of Croydon? Why encourage them by building all these new houses. They should be made to live in hostels and squats for their mistakes.
I'm sick and tired of suporting all these benefit scroungers while genuine people have to suffer. My family were never well off yet you never caught them begging to the council for money.”
by Anon, Anon
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 12:52PM
“Are they going to be council?
I hope not. I'm already sandwiched inbetween the undesirables of the Waddon Estate and Wallingtons Roundshaw.”
by Sue, Croydon
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:04PM
“187 new homes - Oh what joy, more traffic on the Purley Way !!”