BENEFITS from the proposed £1 billion redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre must spread wider than the town centre, local politicians have agreed.
Cross party support for the regeneration planned by the Westfield/Hammerson partnership was displayed at the Develop Croydon conference held at Fairfield Halls in Park Lane, Croydon last Wednesday.
But equally both Conservative and Labour politicians taking part in a Question Time session said it was essential areas around the town centre like London Road, Old Town and Surrey Street plus district centres gained from the boost in shoppers coming into the town and the 5,000 extra jobs the scheme is expected to bring.
The politicians also agreed, if planning permission is granted, the council must work closely with the Partnership to minimise the impact on businesses, residents and shoppers during what will be a complicated and lengthy construction period.
The Partnership's application to replace the existing Whitgift Centre with 1.4 million sq ft of retail space plus leisure facilities and hundreds of new homes will be considered by the council's strategic planning committee on Monday (November 25).
Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, said it was important that cross party support existed to turn Croydon's ambitions for regeneration into reality.
He said: "I am very keen to see how it works for the whole of the borough and not just the town centre."
He maintained parts of the north of the borough were run down and investors would be more keen to come to Croydon if the whole borough was clean and safe, children were better educated and there were good transport links with the town centre and central London.
He added: "We also need a supply train in place to offer local jobs to local people."
Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central, said he believed the Westfield/Hammerson development would be a catalyst for regeneration.
But he said: "People have seen grandiose plans umpteen times; we have got to build confidence that this time it is really happening. One of the important things we have to consider is how to we ensure the whole town now benefits."
Councillor Toni Letts, Labour's shadow cabinet member for economic development, said keeping the town running during the construction phase would be of major importance. That meant, she said, ensuring that communication with traders and residents was a priority. They would need to have a constant update on how the construction was progressing, exactly when shops would be closed or open and how access to the town was being affected.
Councillor Mike Fisher, the Conservative leader of the council, told the conference that disruption to the town was inevitable.
He said: "We are working hard to make sure we keep as many businesses and shops open as we can.
