THE next major step in turning Westfield/Hammerson's plans for redeveloping the Whitgift Centre into reality takes place at the end of the month.
Croydon Council's cabinet will be meeting on March 31 to pass legal resolutions allowing the council to proceed with compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) on any land and property involved in the development where agreement has not been reached with the developers.
The £1 billion scheme, which includes 1.5 million sq ft of retail space plus restaurants, leisure facilities and hundreds of new homes, was given planning permission in November.
Completing ownership of the site is essential if the development is to go ahead.
The resolutions will detail what CPOs are required and, if approved, will go for formal ratification by the Government which will then order a public inquiry, expected to be held later this year.
A planning inspector will rule on the evidence to resolve any outstanding disputes.
A spokesman for the Westfield/Hammerson Partnership said this week it remained confident the "vast majority" of issues would be resolved without resorting to CPOs, either through offers of relocation or compensation agreements.
He added: "Following unanimous cross party approval for our outline planning application and the completion of the section 106 agreements and regeneration benefits package, we are pleased that Croydon Council has announced its cabinet's key decision period on the use of CPO powers.
"The land assembly process is an important part of the development process which helps The Croydon Partnership deliver the major retail regeneration of Croydon's town centre."
Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher admitted some of the conversations about the CPO process may have to take place behind closed doors.
He said: "It is my intention to have as much of the debate at the cabinet meeting as possible in public but there will be areas involving commercial sensitivity which will be held in camera.
"These are key decisions for the council which are essential to bring this development about.
"We want this to happen and we are keen to see the partnership get on with it."
If CPOs are eventually granted, legally it will up to the council to pay any purchase and compensation costs.
But, Cllr Fisher pointed out, there would be a simultaneous payment made by the partnership to the council so there would be no financial burden on council taxpayers.
