Controversial arena scheme for East Croydon turned down
Council hopes that a 12,500 seat arena would lead to the
regeneration of the town centre have been dashed.
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In a decision announced this morning communities secretary
Hazel Blears has rejected the council-backed Arrowcroft arena,
homes and offices scheme planned for the Gateway site at East
Croydon.
The Secretary of State says that while she sees “merit” in
an arena helping regeneration, she agrees with the inspector
who conducted last year's public inquiry that there were severe
doubts about the viability of the scheme.
Ms Blears also accepts the inspector's arguments for
rejection based on grounds of traffic congestion on the
surrounding roads.
Arrowcroft have a right of appeal against the ruling in the
High Court.
In addition to the arena, the Arrowcroft proposals included
nearly 900 flats, 60,000 sq metres of offices, a superstore
plus other shops, restaurants and cafes.
In her report accepted by Hazel Blears, planning inspector
Ava Wood says: “The arena-led development would provide a
strong basis for regenerating the Croydon Metropolitan
Centre.
“The diverse mix of uses proposed, in particular, the arena,
would help re-brand Croydon as an interesting place to visit,
in contrast to its current stale, tired image. The potential
benefits of the developments are substantial.”
But she adds: “However with doubts about its financial
soundness, I cannot be even reasonably assured that the arena
would be delivered and without that component of the scheme,
its transforming potentials would not be achieved.”
Mrs Wood said there were concerns about the funding gap for
the arena which needed a £12m cross subsidy from the commercial
and housing elements of the development plus a £25m loan from
Arrowcroft.
She said: “The economic soundness of the development and its
ability to support construction has not been unequivocally
demonstrated.
“There are too many unknowns and variables to conclude with
reasonable certainty that the arena can be delivered within the
funding structure proposed.”
The news was immediately welcomed by the Warehouse Theatre,
which now hopes it can go ahead with a £5m arts development on
the site as part of the rival Stanhope scheme, which is now
almost certain to go ahead.
Artistic director Ted Craig said: "I have worked for over 15
years to get to this stage. I am absolutely delighted.
"This is a fantastic result for the Arts in Croydon. I would
like to thank everyone for supporting the Warehouse over so
many very difficult years"
Brenda Kirby, chair of the board of management, added: "I am
absolutely delighted. This has been a long time coming. Finally
we have a secure future in a stuning building that will be an
opportunity for Croydon to show its unique and interesting
side"
Timothy Godfrey, secretary of the board of management, said
"We have now secured that future (of the Warehouse) and it is
now time to take the theatre to the next stage of its life and
grow its audience, reputation and its education work. It is a
truly exciting future we look to."
22 Comments
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by downANDout, Croydon
Wednesday, August 06 2008, 1:02PM
“Lucia - Where are these decent people going to come from? Most people can't afford to move into the area and the ones that do will be council scroungers. Whatever happens you're in a lose-lose situation. I for 1 would rather live next to an arena than live next door to a council estate from hell.”
by Lucia, East Croydon
Wednesday, August 06 2008, 8:43AM
“Great news not to have an Arena in Croydon! I think that's the last thing Croydon needs, in respect of drinking problems and also this would have caused lots of traffic. Croydon doesn't need more people to have come to Croydon do lots of mess but more decent people to live in! If you like going to concerts every second night, then move closer to area with one of those and you realize what is it like to live in mess and noisy place. Arena (any size) is definitely not good idea for Croydon! Thank you for the decision.”
by Caroline, Croydon area
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 10:40PM
“I seem to recall that Stanhope proposed a small arena on part of the site north of Lansdowne Road several years ago but the Council were not interested.”
by Nikki, East Croydon
Monday, August 04 2008, 11:55AM
“This is fantastic news. As someone who down the street from the proposed arena I am relieved that the fight seems to be over. Everyone arguing for the area, I would assume, would not have to live next door a live with the noise pollution, congestion, fight for (already very limited) parking outside their own home and the multitude of other problems we would have had to contend with every time there was an event. I have no objection to development but this was badly thought out and planned, an entirely inappropriate use of space in a residential area.”
by Mr.Angry, Purley
Monday, August 04 2008, 8:45AM
“Like trying to make a pint fit in a half pint pot,this idea was flawed from the start.”
by downANDout, Croydon
Friday, August 01 2008, 1:17PM
“I would of liked a smaller venue to come to Croydon. As what others have said, something to challange the now departed Astoria or Brixton. The town badly needs regeneration and having a music venue would bring thousands of extra people into Croydon each week.”
by Austen, London
Friday, August 01 2008, 7:23AM
“Excellent news, and a well-deserved slap in the face for those in the town hall (you know who you are) who've wasted our money trying to get this daft scheme in place.”
by Lisa, Croydon
Friday, August 01 2008, 6:20AM
“How many bands are capable of filling an arena? Not very many, and how many would have chosen Croydon over the O2? Maybe one a year. But there are loads of bands who could fill a 3,000 venue like Brixton which is what we should be going for.”
by Magman, Purley
Thursday, July 31 2008, 10:59PM
“Spot on JJ.
As far as I know, there are very few venues in South London, only the Brixton Aademy springs to mind, so a medium size venue would be good. Went to see The Pogues at fairfields a few years ago - great gig, but totally out of place!
As for more housing and office space, has the communities secretary not realised that there is a credit crunch and that we are constantly hearing how the housing sector is suffering. Also, look around Croydon and you'll see plenty of office space up for rent, so where are Stanhope's hoping to recoup their money from?
On a positive note, at least the Warehouse Theatre will have a new home and this farce that has been running for the last ten years should hopefully be coming to an end!”
by JJ, Croydon
Thursday, July 31 2008, 9:26PM
“We don't need a huge 12,000 seater arena that will only get used when a major event comes to town . What we do need is one or more venues the size of the London Astoria, or the Indigo (the baby venue inside the O2 dome) or a club venue that can replace the sadly departed Cartoon. Especially once the Astoria is demolished to allow the Crossrail rail link to be built, London will benefit from a new 2000-3000 seater venue. Also smaller venues are likely to be busy almost every night of the week, which will bring regular visitors to Croydon as well as providing regular employment opportunities. It is the same problem that faces the stupid Park Place development plans. What we need is lots of small independently run shops that allow local entrepreneurs to make Croydon special rather than more chain shops and multinationals / mobile phone shops. We could also do with an indoor market type place - I think Beanos are already working on this idea.”