Gateway To Nowhere

It is reported that "a £30M deal has been completed by Stanhope /Schroders which, they claim, answers objections to their redevelopment plans for the derelict site next to East Croydon station.

The companies have bought Lansdowne House, in Lansdowne Road, one of Croydon's most highly regarded office blocks, from the HSBC Bank pension fund.

They have also bought a surface car park in neighbouring Dingwall Road.

Buying the 1.25 acre car park site is, Stanhope/Schroders claim, something of double whammy".

However, the problem for Stanhope/Schroders is that Croydon Council are obsessed with having a sports arena built; which Stanhope/Schroders do not have in their plans.

Rival developers Arrowcroft do have plans for a sports arena, and Croydon Council favour them instead of Stanhope/Schroders.

The issue for the long suffering citizens of Croydon is that much of the land in the Gateway area is owned by Stanhope/Schroders, and that there is now a battle of wills between the two opposing developers and the Council as to which plan will eventually be realised.

This of course means interminable delays, and the ongoing decay of Dingwall Road (the picture is a fine example of how bad things are).

I think that it is time that Croydon Council saw common sense and abandoned their plans for an arena, which will add no value to the centre of Croydon.

Let us just get on and develop the site as quickly as possible!