Croydon (City3) #6

issue 6 2010

The official regeneration magazine of London’s largest borough

www.croydonregeneration.com croyd at mipon im

2010

A six-page supp of all the la lement te developmen st ts

Croydon

formerly known as

City3

Croydon’s EDC Page 18 Getting about Page 25 Education Page 35 Statistics Page 40

Croydon

issue 6 2010 Croydon City3 03

Executive editor: Kirsty MacAulay kirsty@3foxinternational.com Features editor: Alex Aspinall alex@3foxinternational.com Art director: Terry Hawes terry@3foxinternational.com Production: Rachael Schofield rachael@3foxinternational.com Advertisement sales: Lee Harrison lee@3foxinternational.com

25

Office manager: Sue Mapara sue@3foxinternational.com

06 Update

Managing director: Toby Fox toby@3foxinternational.com

All the latest news from Croydon, and what’s going on at MIPIM 2010.

Printed by: Trade Winds

12 Croydon illustrated

Images: MIPIM, William Armstrong, Patrick Locke, Brett Oliver, Clare Buxton, Jackie White, Alex Simpson, John Milton, Foster + Partners, Transport for London 2005

Snapshots from the recent Croydon in bloom photographic competition.

18 CEDC

Catch up with Tony Kildare, chief executive of Croydon Economic Development Company.

Published by:

22 Talking heads

Lower Ground Floor, 189 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TB T: 020 7978 6840

How has the CEDC been received by those most affected by its work?

25 Transport

For Croydon Council

At the heart of the borough’s offer, Croydon’s transport infrastructure continues to improve.

29 MIPIM

Executive director of planning, regeneration and conservation Emma Peters

A look at Croydon’s presence at this year’s MIPIM event in Cannes.

35 Education

For Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC)

Chief executive Tony Kildare Email: info@cedc.com Subscriptions and feedback: go to www.croydonregeneration.com © 3Fox International Limited 2010. All material is ­strictly copyright and all rights are reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without the written ­permission of 3Fox International Limited is strictly ­forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no ­responsibility for omissions or errors.

The views expressed in this ­magazine are not ­necessarily those of 3Fox International Limited or CEDC or Croydon Council.

The schemes destined to transform the Croydon of tomorrow.

Croydon is

produced at no cost to the Croydon council-tax payer

40 Stats

The numbers behind the story of the borough’s renaissance.

43 Quality of life

Croydon: more than meets the eye.

50 Team work Images from Croydon’s masterplanning day.

43

A new destination for Croydon • Exciting new urban village in the heart of Croydon • Wide selection of contemporary studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments • Set among impressive landscaped gardens and courtyards • On site facilities including medical centre, nursery and café • Easy access to Wandle Park Tramlink station (19 mins to Wimbledon) • Convenient for East and West Croydon mainline stations

barratthomes.co.uk or call 08444 700 559 Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat & Sun 10am-5pm Prices and details correct at time of going to press. *Train times obtained from National Rail Enquiries.

Adver tisement Featur e

SALES SUCCESS AT NEW SOUTH QUARTER Sales success continues at New South Quarter, a superb new urban village on the A23 Purley Way around a mile from the centre of Croydon.

Barratt Homes has secured over 100 private reservations and the first residents have now moved into their new homes. HomeBuy Direct, a low-cost home ownership scheme, has proved extremely popular in helping buyers onto the property ladder, with a new one bedroom apartment costing as little as £122,497.

New South Quarter will form an important part of the regeneration of Croydon and when complete, the scheme will provide nearly 800 one, two and three bedroom apartments and houses in addition to commercial space which will include a nursery school, medical centre, café and convenience store as well as units for workshops and small start-up businesses.

The first apartment building is now complete and residents have moved in. Construction continues on site; the second apartment building already has

some occupations and will be completed by the summer.

Nick Fenton, Managing Director for Barratt Kent, said: “We are delighted with the success of New South Quarter. The development is really starting to take shape and the rate of sales has greatly increased. We are currently offering the HomeBuy Direct low-cost home ownership scheme that gives buyers the opportunity to move in for only 70 per cent of the price. As a result, people who have been priced out of the market for years are now able to buy their own home.”

Buildings are set around courtyards, landscaped gardens and open green spaces. In the heart of the development will be a ‘Circus’, inspired by classical Italian architecture. The River Wandle passes through the site underground and Barratt’s longterm plan is to restore it to an open river, giving many homes the prospect of river views.

A great benefit of living at New South Quarter is the quick journey times into central London. A stop on the tram network, opposite the development, connects directly to East Croydon station in 8 minutes.

From the mainline station trains to Victoria and London Bridge take just 15 minutes.

A selection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are currently available for sale at New South Quarter. The homes are stylish, sophisticated and cleverly designed to use space very effectively. Each has its own outside space; full-length glass

doors open from the open plan living area on to a generous balcony or terrace with room for dining al fresco in fine weather.

Designer kitchens by Paula Rosa include all the latest appliances.

There are a variety of apartment styles with some benefiting from an en suite shower to bedroom 1, in addition to the main bathroom.

A range of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments will be ready for occupation in February.

Prices at New South Quarter start from £174,995 for a 1 bedroom apartment and £199,995 for a 2 bedroom apartment. For more information, please call the Marketing Suite at Purley Way, Croydon CRO 4NR open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm on 020 8688 0688 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk/ newsouthquarter.

croydon 0

Update

MIPIM latest news plus what’s been happening in the world of regeneration in Croydon

Mipim special

MIPIM 2010 This year will see Croydon once again take centre stage at the MIPIM property event, held annually in Cannes.

Regarded by many as the most important property event on the international calendar, the borough’s presence is essential as it offers an unparalleled opportunity to stimulate interest and awareness in the area’s regeneration, and its associated investment avenues, to a wide cross section of leading property advisors, developers, regional authorities, investors and corporate end-users.

The Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC) is representing the borough at MIPIM for the first time this year.

The event is a key element of Croydon’s regeneration strategy for 2010.

Tony Kildare, chief executive of CEDC, says: “MIPIM is the single most important property event. It provides Croydon with the opportunity to raise its profile and demonstrate to investors and developers Croydon’s potential.”

MIPIM

in numbers:

18,000

participants

3,575

investors

1,213

Confirmed sponsors to date: n Stanhope/ Schroder n Berkeley Homes (capital) plc

developers

n Menta

20,000sq m

n GuildhouseRosepride Properties LLP

exhibition area

79

countries

477

journalists

27sq m

Croydon stand

n WT Partnership

Croydon in Cannes Croydon will once again enjoy high profile positioning at MIPIM in March on the London Pavilion, with a prime location next to the London stand’s terrace.

Visitor numbers are expected to be high, as the London Pavilion offers an attractive beachfront location next to the Paris and Madrid sections, and Croydon is set to be a major draw.

The permanent Croydon exhibition will also feature a range of supporting events and attractions, including an exclusive lunch for sponsors and key guests on 17 March, with speeches from keynote partners.

Visitors to the Croydon stand will have the opportunity to discuss the borough’s exciting vision for the future with members of Croydon Council’s urban design team.

Update

Croydon 07

n Geraghty TaylorArchitects and Guildhouse-Rosepride are creating houses for life with a planned pilot scheme of LivinHOME Ltd – a range of cost effective house types. The buildings are attractive, environmentally friendly and functional.

Imagine Croydon Croydon Council’s Imagine Croydon project was completed in 2009. The programme involved 20,000 locals who gave their thoughts on Croydon in 2040 to create a vision for the type of place Croydon has the potential to become.

The results were ambitious; aspirations are to become London’s most enterprising borough, an incubator for artistic and sporting talent, a borough where residents feel empowered and motivated. The vision statement will be at the heart of all strategies and plans developed by the borough in 2010.

London link

OKRA for Wellesley Road The redevelopment of Wellesley Road and Park Lane moved one-step closer following the announcement that Netherlands-based architects OKRA has been selected to lead the design.

The road currently creates a barrier between East Croydon station and the town centre, impeding pedestrian movement. The challenge of redeveloping the area attracted international attention, OKRA was selected ahead of fellow short-listed company Field Operations

following two months of consideration by the jury, which included representatives from the LDA and Transport for London.

Will Alsop, whose work in Croydon has provided the impetus for the project said: “I was very impressed by the OKRA proposal. It will transform Wellesley Road into a usable place where people will feel comfortable to dwell and relax.

The project will also go a long way to restoring the east/west links through the centre of the town.”

As if Croydon’s transport links weren’t good enough the new East London Line Extension will provide a direct route from West Croydon to the Jubilee Line at Canada Water, District and Metropolitan Lines (via Whitechapel) and the DLR via Shadwell. Passengers will be able to use Oyster cards.

“

The OKRA proposal will transform Wellesley Road into a useable place for people to relax

”

➼

Mipim latest news plus what’s been happening in the world of regeneration in London’s third city

croydon 08

Update

Plans unveiled for £24 million Oasis Academy Coulsdon Plans for the £24 million redevelopment of Coulsdon’s Oasis Academy, which replaced Coulsdon High School in September 2008, were placed on public display towards the end of 2009. Work on site could begin as soon as late spring 2010, with completion possible by summer 2011.

If approved, proposals for the new building would deliver state-of the-art learning environments as well as the refurbishment of buildings and amenities, a new communal atrium at the centre of the academy and a host of sustainability considerations, which aim to ensure the development secures an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating.

Dave Hill, Croydon’s executive director of children, young people and learners, said: “Educational standards have shown exceptional improvement since Oasis Academy Coulsdon opened. Redevelopment at the site will ensure that standards at the academy will continue to improve, and that current and future students have the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential in an educational environment of the highest quality.”

The redevelopment of the Oasis Academy forms part of Croydon’s £550 million Building Schools for the Future scheme (see page 35 for more details).

The redevelopment of the Oasis Academy is part of Croydon’s £550 million BSF programme.

Update

Croydon 09

n New flexibility around Local Implementation Plan funding means Croydon has been able to allocate the biggest portion of the mayor’s grant towards an area-based approach in Purley town centre. The traffic-heavy area will benefit from £2.5 million worth of funding to upgrade the town centre.

Total Place Croydon is one of 13 pilot areas for a new government scheme, Total Place, one of only two London boroughs involved. The scheme will provide a ‘whole area’ approach to public services in order to deliver better services at less cost.

Croydon’s Total Place project is being led by the council and NHS Croydon and is

focusing on how the area looks after children’s health and wellbeing with a focus on child development.

Croydon is developing a compelling case for shifting resources upstream into preventative early years services, co-ordinated at a local level and designed around the needs of young people.

Fighting fit Croydon’s efforts towards combating the effects of recession were recognised at a national awards event held

by Regeneration and Renewal magazine.

The event, hosted by Alastair Campbell, saw the borough’s work in ‘nurturing start-ups, attracting inward investment and developing skills’ receiving special praise.

Tony Kildare, chief executive of the Croydon Economic

Development Company, said: “This is national recognition for a programme that is helping people start, develop and grow businesses, drawing on a wide range of services, including finance and skills training.

“This is a well deserved acknowledgement for Croydon and gives positive encouragement to the business community in a time of challenging economic conditions.”

Leading the way with the HCA Croydon is among the local authorities leading the way with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), piloting a scheme set to see it take more control over how its HCA funds are spent.

Starting in April 2010, the scheme seeks to provide the council with the opportunity to enjoy greater control and flexibility over how they manage housing policy decisions. This power will be

handed over in return for commitments on the delivery of affordable housing.

Croydon will be joined by Hackney and Westminster councils in the pilot, and will be working closely with a steering group chaired by the mayor’s hosting advisor Richard Blakeway. The steering group will consider the steps needed to create a city-wide delegated delivery programme.

Development in Croydon Work is ongoing on projects throughout the borough. Here is a brief update on some of the schemes featured in previous issues of the magazine: n Quest House

Residential development split across two buildings, both situated on the site of the former 1970s office block.

Developer: Londonewcastle Architect: TP Bennett Stage: Planning permission granted Completion: Construction programme to be agreed

n IYLO North Croydon’s 20-storey development will deliver 183 apartments when complete, and benefits from an Ecohomes excellent rating.

Developer: Phoenix Logistics Architect: Darling Associates Stage: Building work is ongoing Completion: October 2011

n Chroma Seventeen-storeys of grade A office space opposite East Croydon rail station, with retail on ground floor.

Developer: Terrace Hill Architect: Sheppard Robson Stage: Planning permission granted Completion: Construction programme to be agreed

Chroma is just one of several projects set to transform the area around East Croydon Station.

?D 9HEO:ED" EDBO ED; D;M E<<?9; :;L;BEFC;DJ 9EC;I M?J> 7 C7@EH JH7?D IJ7J?ED 7JJ79>;:$

Hkia_d IgkWh[ _i j^[ Y[djh[f_[Y[ e\ ;Wij 9heoZedÉi jhWdi\ehcWj_ed _dje W d[m 9[djhWb 8ki_d[ii :_ijh_Yj$ ?ji d_d[#WYh[ cWij[h#fbWd _dYbkZ[i h[ijWkhWdji" YW\ i" W j^[Wjh[" d[m ^ec[i" fkXb_Y ekjZeeh ifWY[i WdZ ed[ c_bb_ed igkWh[ \[[j e\ ]hWZ[ È7É e\ÒY[ ifWY[$ ?j m_bb X[ Z[b_l[h[Z Xo Wd [nf[h_[dY[Z Z[l[befc[dj fWhjd[hi^_f$ @kij '+ c_dkj[i \hec Y[djhWb BedZed Xo jhW_d" ;Wij 9heoZed e\\[hi Yecf[j_j_l[ fhef[hjo fh_Y[i WdZ [Wio WYY[ii je jemd#Y[djh[ h[jW_b WdZ YkbjkhWb Wc[d_j_[i$ FbWdi je h[lWcf j^[ jhW_d ijWj_ed m_bb WZZ W Z_h[Yj f[Z[ijh_Wd b_da m_j^ Hkia_d IgkWh[$

Hkia_d IgkWh[ _i h[WZo je ]e$ JWba je ki WXekj m^[h[ oekh Xki_d[ii _i ]e_d]$ :M_bb_Wci6iWl_bbi$Yec 9^h_i$>_Wjj6[k$`bb$Yec mmm$hkia_digkWh[$Yec

CROYDON 12

Picture this The recent Croydon in Bloom photographic competition highlighted the surprising variety of green spaces the borough has to offer.

Getting away from it all is easy in Croydon given the mix of green valleys, bluebell strewn woods and perfectly manicured town centre parks.

Residents get the best of both worlds with plentiful shops and great facilities on the doorstep, central London just a few minutes away and vast green spaces nearby

CROYDON 13

Croydon illustrated

Top left and above top: Abstract shots by local photographer Alex Simpson.

Left, main: Kenley Common stretches across 56-hectares.

This image shows the hills of Woldingham in the distance.

Above: The manicured lawns and blooms of Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gardens in the town centre provide an oasis of calm.

â&#x17E;&#x201D;

CROYDON 14 Top: Snow in Lloyd Park by the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner William Armstrong.

Above: Croydon is home to a plethora of flora and fauna including glow worms and orchids.

Right: In contrast to the wild environs Croydon also offers bright lights.

Far right: The woods behind Coulsdon Golf Course, taken

by Croydonian Jackie White.

CROYDON 15

Croydon illustrated

Exceeding expectations at every level 172 exceptional one, two and three bedroom apartments 11 stunning two and three bedroom penthouses £3.5 billion worth of re-development planned for Croydon The only 100% private residential development of its size in Croydon 15 minutes to central London from East Croydon station* New Tube line extension to West Croydon interchange by 2010 24 hour concierge and security Poggenpohl kitchens with Miele and Siemens appliances Floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views Eco Homes “excellent” rating NHBC warranty and 125 year lease Estimated completion Summer 2011

1 and 2 bedroom apartments from £200,000 2 and 3 bedroom penthouses £POA Visit the marketing suite and show apartment At 1 Wellesley Parade, Wellesley Road, Croydon CR0 2AJ OPEN WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY: 10am – 6pm

IYLO.CO.UK

Marketing suite and show apartment now open FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

020 8680 5000 * Please note, actual journey time stated above is the estimated journey time from London Victoria to East Croydon Station.

As IYLO is currently in the development stage, pictures shown here are computer generated and intended to be indicative only.

Specification and other details are subject to change and may differ from those offered here. Prices are correct at the time of print. IYLO is a marketing name.

CROYDON 18

Future perfect Croydon’s Economic Development Company is heralding some major changes for the borough. Alex Aspinall spoke to its chief executive, Tony Kildare

I

t’s still early days. But much has been achieved since June 2009, when Tony Kildare took his place at the helm of Croydon’s economic future.

The Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC) is responsible for a diverse, but nonetheless, interconnected area of responsibilities, each of which has its role to play in the improvement of Croydon’s economic future, and in its evolution towards becoming ‘the place to be in London’.

Much of the progress achieved thus far has evolved around establishing the who’s, what’s and how’s required to achieve meaningful change.

Kildare explains: “What has happened since June has been a lot of getting the system’s processes, business plan and activities sorted out.

A lot has been achieved. We need to be clear on our priorities and focuses going forward. It is difficult sometimes to keep doing comparisons with what has gone before; we are trying to do something quite different.

It is not a replacement of old organisations, this is about having a proper economic development agency.”

An organisation capable of satisfying this demand has to address a range of challenges, from communications and marketing to encouraging economic and entrepreneurial success.

Luckily, the CEDC has

outlined its intentions to address exactly these issues through its newly constructed business plan. The plan focuses on the following areas: economic inclusion; inward investment and business environment; jobs, skills and learning; and enterprise and innovation.

The CEDC will centre its efforts on making it possible for all its residents to participate in, and contribute to the economic success of Croydon. It will retain a commitment to being externally focused in a bid to encourage potential inward investors to choose Croydon amid the plethora of other areas vying for their affections; it will seek to better integrate the skills agenda with economic development; and, it will provide support to entrepreneurs and businesses in Croydon to encourage their success.

All these areas contribute to making the borough more economically successful, the main brief worked to by any economic development company.

Creating a ‘proper economic development agency’ also means having an organisation able to move beyond the gap that often exists between the public and private sectors.

Though not-for-profit, CEDC is decidedly private sector-focused.

Its board predominantly comprises private sector personalities, and it intentionally sets out to understand and talk

the language of business.

It is a position Kildare has been eager to ensure exists within the organisation, and he believes “the CEDC has a good focus on being able to deliver what the private sector is looking for,” recognising the need for it to be a “facilitator”.

This route, it is thought, is the one most likely to lead to a situation where Croydon becomes more attractive to investors and more interesting for those organisations likely to make the larger impacts. The business-focused approach has been welcomed by Croydon’s private sector partners and it’s likely to reap further reward when the borough promotes itself to potential partners, both at home and abroad at property events such as MIPIM. There is clearly little to lose in having an international reputation as a borough capable of working effectively in the world of business.

As well as looking to the future, the CEDC has also inherited several projects already being delivered. Such as the investment sourced through the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI), which is aimed at improving the opportunity for business success in the borough, including establishing new businesses, helping established businesses to grow, and persuading businesses to relocate to Croydon are already in place,

and clearly fit well with the wider aims of the organisation.

Most of the CEDC’s work will necessarily be focused on the longer term.

Economic development, and the infrastructure and organisational changes required for its facilitation does not happen overnight.

The emphasis is being placed on ensuring the borough gives out clear and consistent communications detailing exactly what the borough’s offer involves.

For this to happen the CEDC needs to be recognised, internally and externally, as the central point of contact for

“

I want to enrich and develop the business environment and base for Croydon to ensure we have greater numbers of investors and enquiries

”

CEDC

CROYDON 19

This picture: Acclaimed architect Piers Gough examining the model of Croydon town centre at MIPIM 2009.

What is an economic development company?

Straddling the difficult terrain separating the public and private sectors, economic development companies (EDCs) are designed to enable economic betterment.

By focusing on key areas such as skills and employment, business investment, marketing of development sites and addressing the underlying economic infrastructure, EDCs are able to address the specific needs of the areas they represent.

Who is Croydon’s EDC? Chief executive Tony Kildare Chair - Barry Rourke Vice chair - Lord Bowness of Warlingham Peter Spencer

organisations and individuals interested in contributing to economic activity within the borough’s boundaries. This is another thing Kildare is eager to see happen, and something that has been slowly developing since the CEDC’s launch.

But Kildare has an ambitious list of objectives that he wants to achieve during his tenure.

“There are a number of things I want to see happen,” he enthuses. “I want to enrich and develop the business environment and base for Croydon to ensure that we have greater numbers of investors and enquiries, and also so that people fully understand the strength of Croydon’s offer.

“I want to see the ambition of a higher education base in some way, shape or form in Croydon. I want to see the strengthening of sector expertise like health and social care and financial services base. I also want to see the transformation of the borough, with the CEDC leading the work around skills and businesses. I want Croydon to become the place to be in London.”

Kildare speaks passionately about ‘his borough’s’ potential; of its excellent transport links; its enviable geographical location; and of the changes for the better he sees within its new approach to economic development. He sees reason for optimism but when asked if he

is confident the borough will live up to its immense potential, he opts for cautious pragmatism, an approach likely to underpin Croydon’s progression as we emerge further from the shadow of the recession.

“There is a lot of opportunity for Croydon,” says Kildare.

“What a unique place; so close to central London, and with the perfect base and offer that many other areas would be desperate to have.

“But, confidence is for the people that have already got to the end of the race. We are limbering up, we think we are pretty fit, but we have quite a long race still left to run. There is work to do. And this will be true for some years to come.” n

The CEDC’s aims n Economic inclusion – ensuring the entire population can participate in the workplace n Inward investment and the business environment – ensuring Croydon is ideally positioned to maximise potential sources of investment n Jobs, skills and learning – integrating the skills agenda with economic development and business need n Enterprise and innovation – providing support for Croydon’s entrepreneurs and businesses

Are you helping to transform Croydon?

Make sure everyone knows. :IFP;FE @JJL< - )'('

MAKING TOMORROW A BETTER PLACE

@JJL< - )'('

K_\ f]Ă&#x201D;Z`Xc i\^\e\iXk`fe dX^Xq`e\ f] Cfe[feĂ&#x2039;j cXi^\jk Yfifl^_

nnn%Zifp[fei\^\e\iXk`fe%Zfd -*4 *) / ($+ $(

A six-page supple of all the late ment developmentst s

:IFP;FE

formerly known as

:@KP*

S view Croydon as Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third City

am of professional engineers, project managers and architects s for ourselves by contributing to the success of our customers.

on for 20 years, TPS provide high quality, cost effective and sustainable design solutions

s of our customers. Schal are our specialist client project management group.

companies.

e

Croydonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EDC Page 18 Getting about Page 25 Education Page 35 Statistics Page 40

tpsconsult.co.uk

www.tpsconsult.co.uk Tate Modern, Bankside

www.croydonregeneration.com Use Croydon magazine to promote your company and its work to more than 35,000 regeneration professionals.

Contact Lee Harrison 020 7978 6840

Gone Global - Stayed Local Croydon has been the European headquarters of WT Partnership for over 40 years.

WT Partnership is an international cost and project consultancy, providing a broad range of related building advisory services based around cost, time, quality and the management of projects.

We draw on the expertise of more than 950 staff operating from our 50 offices worldwide.

Our work includes some of the most prestigious construction projects in the world.

www.wtpartnership.com

International projects include the City of Dreams, Macau; Britomart Transport Centre, Auckland; Federation Square, Melbourne; Walsh Bay Redevelopment, Sydney and the West Tower, Guangzhou.

Closer to home, projects include the O2 Arena, London; Greenwich Millennium Village, London; Watermark Place, London; Mandarin Hotel, London and the Croydon Centrale.

CROYDON 22

Opinion poll Charles Walford,

Joe Rowe

Director at Stanhope:

Chair of Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID):

“The positive things are that we will hopefully have one place of contact now. When there are different organisations it can be quite difficult to know where to go.

It is also good that it is a private company at arm’s length, which gives it a refreshing independence. But it is possibly too early to say.

“They have been very positive and useful. The CEDC is engaging more in terms of occupiers and bringing them in and they are helping with inward investment. They have supported developers too.

“The CEDC can do simple things for us, like produce one single set of corporate data, covering the things you might need to help sell Croydon. Otherwise individual developers all end up with their own data, and it would also bring people together in terms of communication. We all need to work together to sell the place. We need the place brought together.

“The CEDC is also helping make sure they are selling the place on the back of projects that are happening. The sell is now more realistic, there are some good projects coming forward and they are deliverable.”

“

We will have one place of contact now. It is also good that the CEDC is a private company at arm’s length, which gives it a refreshing independence

”

“As far as the BID is concerned, we have been looking at short-term tactical measures; things like more policing, cleaning, festivals and events. The CEDC will look more at the long-term. The potential is there in Croydon, and we think the CEDC will encourage more business investment.

“I think we have to be realistic in the short- and mediumterm. We still have a difficult year ahead of us but both the rebuilding of Croydon and the work of the CEDC comes to fruition over a longer period than that. The BID puts things right in the short-term and the CEDC puts down the seeds for a thriving town centre.

“The private-sector focus of the CEDC is going to be helpful too. We want Croydon to be much more than just a cheap rent option. We want people to know more about how much the borough has to offer, particularly in the area of skills. We have to bring in businesses that demand high skill sets and then we have to ensure the workforce is there.

“Croydon is going to see a massive change in how it looks and what it offers. But it also has to have a business underneath it attracting investment into the town centre; and I think the CEDC will do this.”

“

The potential is there in Croydon and we think the CEDC will encourage more business investment

”

CEDC talking heads

CROYDON 23

The Croydon Economic Development Company was set up in June 2009, we find out what those involved in the borough’s regeneration make of the organisation…..

Vanessa Clark

John Pryor,

Principal director of Sinclair Clark:

Interim director of economy and sustainability at Croydon Council:

“The CEDC can potentially make a difference for Croydon.

In the past there was too much of a focus on promotion and marketing and the CEDC can focus more on stakeholders for support, they can be really effective. Though it is a big task, there are some really exciting plans coming through.

“It is really important for a unit like the CEDC to engage well with the private sector. It is interesting at the moment because the redeveloped Impact House is over 120,000sq ft and is due for completion, with deals on the floor at £23 per square foot. It is a great step forward in South Croydon.

“The CEDC have to try and keep the big tenants in the town but they also have to look further afield to get new tenants. The economic prowess, the transport offer, all these things have to be used to tempt the big London occupiers, who will be paying a lot of money in rent, down to Croydon. It has to be a co-ordinated effort between the CEDC and the private stakeholders too.

“They need to clarify a deliverable position, looking at what they can deliver now. And they need to understand what developers, occupiers and investors feel is necessary.”

“

The CEDC can make a difference for Croydon.

They can focus more on stakeholders for support and there are some really exciting plans

”

“The big difference is that the CEDC is primarily private sector and has extensive private sector membership on its board. These people bring a range of skills and talent, creating a much more inclusive process than in places dominated by the public sector.

“The developers we work with, and private companies looking to move into new areas, will see the council has an understanding of private business concerns. Croydon understands private business and wants to work with it.

“Through the CEDC, private sector organisations will feel more comfortable that Croydon understands their problems.

It is a major advantage point. When development does take off, Croydon is uniquely positioned now to show that we have forward-looking masterplans, we know what we want, we have mechanisms to deliver these things, and a transport strategy supported by TfL and the mayor.

“Developers are going to be much more careful about what they develop from now on, and a borough that has got what Croydon has to offer is going to be in a prime position.”

“

The developers we work with, and private companies looking to move into new areas, will see the council has an understanding of private business concerns

”

Stunning new offices available for occupation, February 2010

Impact House CROYDON

119,000 sq ft over 16 floors. Suites from 3,500 sq ft.

Further details:

Part ground floor pre-let to PCT • Three new floors added • Two new wall climber lifts • All new plant and equipment • Stunning views • Café and gym A DEVELOPMENT BY UNION INVESTMENT LIMITED PART OF THE TRICOS GROUP OF COMPANIES.

Vanessa Clark e: vanessa@sinclairclark.co.uk

impacthouse.co.uk

CROYDON 25

Xxxxxx Transport xxxxx

On the right track It may come as a surprise to learn Croydon’s envied transport links are about to get even better. Paul Coleman reports

C

roydon’s transport options, already one of the borough’s key selling points, are about to undergo major improvements. Both of the mainline stations as well as Wellesley Road, the main traffic thoroughfare, are set for an overhaul as part of Croydon’s regeneration programme.

West Croydon station becomes a gateway terminus for the new East London Line (ELL) in June. New services, operated by gleaming new trains, will carry commuters from West Croydon towards the City, Docklands and the West End. The ELL will drive Croydon’s growth during 2010 linking the borough via the Jubilee Line to Canada Water, in zone two, giving Croydonians faster access to the job, retail and leisure opportunities at Canary Wharf, Stratford City, the Olympic Park and City Airport.

Westbound on the Jubilee Line from Canada Water, London’s South Bank and

West End are just a few stops away. Transport for London estimate West Croydon-Canada Water journey times will be 30 minutes on 75mph services.

Croydon commuters will also have easy access to the District and Metropolitan Lines (via Whitechapel) and the DLR (at Shadwell).

Capacity on the Jubilee Line is already set to increase by at least 25% next year thanks to new state-of-the-art signalling.

Four trains per hour will run from West Croydon all day and everyday, including at weekends. Each train can hold up to 667 passengers, constituting an hourly capacity increase of 2,668 people for Croydon. The ELL’s arrival complements existing services at West Croydon where train operator Southern currently runs trains to Victoria, London Bridge, Sutton and Epsom.

West Croydon’s commuters will enjoy a reliable, punctual ➔ and comfortable metro-

CROYDON 26

Previous page and right: East Croydon station is due for a major overhaul.

Below: Plans for Wellesley Road’s transformation.

style service. The impressive new trains are already running on the North London Line. Each train from West Croydon will consist of four cars offering a total of 146 regular extra wide seats. The interior is designed to maximise standing and circulation space with seats running parallel to the bodysides facing into the car.

In addition, there will be 62 perch seats, six tip-ups and two designated wheelchair places.

The cars have wider doors, step free access to platforms and doorless links between coaches.

And importantly for services due to start in the summer, they’re air-conditioned cars.

ELL services will be run as a TfLcontrolled concession, operated

by London Overground Rail Operations Limited, a joint 50/50 consortium of the MTR Corporation of Hong Kong and Deutsche Bahn of Germany.

Any fare revenues from Croydon passengers, though, will go to TfL. Trains will run from West Croydon on Network Rail tracks. Seamlessly at New Cross Gate they’ll continue running north towards Canada Water on the completely re-laid former London Underground line. The £1 billion ELL project is part of TfL’s five-year £10 billion investment plan, just one of several integrated transport enhancements that dovetail with Croydon’s own comprehensive transport plans.

General issues for Network

Rail and TfL centre on West Croydon and East Croydon’s limited track, platform and terminating capacity.

Lengthening platforms to accommodate longer trains at West Croydon would involve remodelling the station’s layout.

Estimates of people entering, exiting and interchanging at West Croydon suggest that in 2007-08 over 2.5 million passengers used the station’s three platforms, down by over 300,000 from the previous year but still over three times as many passengers estimated in 2005-6. Passenger throughput is likely to rise significantly once West Croydon begins operating as the ELL’s southernmost terminus. Currently, the station has a modest two-window

“

East Croydon station has replaced Glasgow Central as one of Britain’s ten most used rail stations

”

Transport

CROYDON 27

Below: Will Alsop’s vision for Croydon puts great emphasis on public realm.

This picture: A staggering 22.5 million passengers used East Croydon station in 2007-8.

ticket hall and relatively short ticket gateline, but it has been identified as a potential scheme under the National Stations Improvement Programme.

However, it’s agreed the ELL necessitates improvements to West Croydon station’s surrounding public realm, including its modest street portal.

That’s why a West Croydon masterplan is being developed within the context of Croydon’s borough-wide transport strategy, setting out transport options to deal with the challenges raised

by Croydon’s medium and long-term growth. Croydon’s regeneration agencies are collaborating closely with Network Rail, local landowners and TfL. Indeed, an experienced TfL programme director has

been seconded to head the transport team and produce the transport strategy, an evolving process that includes five masterplans in the Croydon Metropolitan Centre.

Last October a special summit mapped the key relationships between the five plans, identifying where and how people travel between these areas and pointing out missing links. New connections between these areas are now being conceived.

West Croydon’s masterplan includes an option to replace the bus station, which has potential for a more efficient interchange with a more attractive, dynamic bus hub.

Other possibilities include offering a kiss and ride point

outside the station, re-routing buses, providing cycle parking and cycle hire, extending pedestrian areas and relocating car park facilities. A possible link between the platforms and Tramlink is also being explored.

A similar matrix drives East Croydon’s evolving masterplan.

Capacity and connectivity matter but so do first impressions.

East Croydon station’s once modern look has become outdated. Public expectations of an attractive public realm have risen rapidly in the same period.

Passenger numbers using the six platforms and three Tramlink platforms have risen from an estimated 14.7 million in 2004-05 to over 22.5 million in 2007-08.

The station has been

enlarged several times, in response to Croydon’s growing population, during its 168year history. Since the existing station building opened in 1992, East Croydon has become the busiest station in Britain outside of central London. A 16% passenger flow increase means East Croydon has replaced Glasgow Central as one of Britain’s ten most used stations. Network Rail’s strategic business plan identified a need to fund congestion relief works at the station. There’s a feeling too that East Croydon has been underestimated as a commuter destination for people who commute to work in Croydon.

East Croydon station possesses tremendous potential to ➔ become one of London’s

CROYDON 28

has already arrived. Tramlink, Croydon’s 28km light rail system, came under the control of TfL’s London Rail division in June 2008. This change was accompanied by a £54 million investment programme running until 2015.

This page, above: Croydon’s muchloved trams. This picture: Croyon commuters will be able to use Oyster cards on the new ELL trains. This page, above right: West Croydon station is due for a major overhaul.

“

This summer Croydon commuters will be able to use Oyster cards to connect between Tramlink, the East London Line, Jubilee Line, District and Metropolitan and the DLR. The next step is to lure Londoners to Croydon most impressive 21st century interchanges. Much of that potential is locked in the vast 4.5-hectare Ruskin Square site adjacent to the station. The rail industry is working closely with Croydon Council, the developer Stanhope and their partner, Schroders, to produce a viable development of the site. This involves protecting land that might be needed for future additional tracks and platforms.

Studio Egret West is leading a team to co-ordinate the East Croydon masterplan covering

”

Ruskin Square, the station and the sites on the opposite side of the station owned by the Royal Mail Group and developer Menta. A key aim is to create a high quality public realm around the station that offers easy connections to the other key masterplan areas.

Arguably, Wellesley Road – Croydon’s central spine – presents the most challenges.

This quickly becomes apparent upon seeing the six-lane onslaught of traffic gushing in and out of the Croydon Underpass. Like East Croydon

station and its environs, Wellesley Road’s wide boulevard offers enormous public realm potential but traffic, trams and a mass of tall buildings currently dominate. Humans seeking to cross this traffic canyon are driven underground into the dim subways.

The masterplan to transform Wellesley Road took a major stride forward last summer.

Croydon Council awarded OKRA Landscape Architects with the lead role in the complete redesign of Wellesley Road and the adjacent Park Lane area.

OKRA, based in the Netherlands, led a consortium bid consisting of a team made up of Urhahn Urban Design, Peter Brett Associates and Soundings.

The award came after an intense international design competition where Croydon, working with the London Development Agency and TfL, led a team of judges who pored over detailed proposals to shape Croydon’s new centre submitted by the two final contenders.

The high quality of submissions to the international design competition provided the judges with a tough choice.

The panel of judges included representatives of the London Borough of Croydon and other project partners including the mayor of London’s organisations and the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment (CABE). They were particularly impressed with OKRA’s projected capital and future maintenance costs, their response to transport needs and their plans to involve local people and businesses at every stage of the project and also their comprehensive approach to sustainability.

Croydon’s transport infrastructure has an exciting future and part of that future

Maintenance, renewals, upgrades and capacity enhancements began immediately. In July 2008, services to Beckenham and Elmers End were increased from two to four trams per hour in the evenings and all day on Sunday. Refurbished trams, with new seats and higher visibility livery, started rolling into service from October 2008 and major track works, completed in 2009, produced faster journey times.

Tram stops were deep cleaned and repainted. New signage, information and distinctive green branding were added.

Regular additional cleaning of trams and stops began.

Proposals to address crowding and interchanges, now actively being considered, include TfL buying or leasing more trams, replacing single track with double, improving the Wimbledon terminus and installing a real-time passenger information system.

Tramlink carried around 27 million passengers in 2007, a usage growth rate that drew comparisons with the Docklands Light Railway. From this summer, Croydon commuters, using their Oyster cards, will be able to connect between Tramlink, the East London Line, Jubilee Line, District and Metropolitan Lines and the DLR. The next step is to lure Londoners to Croydon and to make sure Croydon’s infrastructure can efficiently transport them from place to place. n

the companies behind the transformation

croydon at mipim 2010

A six-page supplement highlighting the major projects and developments in and around Croydon being showcased at MIPIM 2010

Croydon at MIPIM 2010

‘Croydon offers the best investment opportunity in the UK for 2010’ An increasing number of high profile brands have chosen to set up in Croydon, impressed by the borough’s reputation as a leading 21st century city in waiting, with superb transport links, a large consumer base, enviable location and burgeoning young population…

This year, the London Borough of Croydon is once again looking to raise its profile to an international audience by taking a stand at MIPIM 2010, the world’s premier real estate conference in Cannes.

The Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC), in partnership with Croydon Council, will be utilising this 4-day event to highlight the borough’s multi-million pound regeneration schemes and to showcase the superb commercial, retail, residential and cultural opportunities on offer.

“MIPIM is the property industry’s most important event in the calendar,” explains Tony Kildare, chief executive of the CEDC. “All the key international decision-makers, investors and professionals will be descending on the South of France for the event and it is an ideal opportunity to display Croydon’s potential to an influential audience. I’m looking forward to making new connections and meeting up with old friends at this year’s event.”

Come and see what Croydon has to offer at the London Pavilion at this year’s MIPIM event.

For more information visit the website www. croydonatmipim.com

the companies behind the transformation

‘Croydon is a great place to live and work’

‘Croydon is connected’

‘Croydon has all the right people’

‘The time to invest is now’

Croydon offers a range of excellent housing, from modern city apartments to leafy suburban homes and period properties.

With some of the best transport links in the whole of the UK, Croydon is ideally placed between London and the south coast. There are few cities in Europe that are better connected for travel.

Whether you are looking for consumers or a dynamic, ready-made workforce – Croydon’s population fits the bill.

With lower costs than central London, superb transport links and some groundbreaking plans for redevelopment, Croydon is looking forward to a radical 21st century makeover in the next few years.

It is London’s ‘greenest’ borough in terms of green open spaces, 32% of the borough is green space.

Croydon has some fantastic schools with a growing international reputation.

It is one of the leading shopping destinations in the UK, boasting over 2.5 million square feet of retail space.

9 out of 10 of the UK’s top retailers are based in Croydon and over £1 billion is spent here every year.

Both the City and the West End are around 15 minutes away by train, whilst Gatwick International Airport is just 20 minutes in the opposite direction.

The south coast is within easy reach by road or by rail, with the M25 London orbital road, which is just over eight miles drive from Croydon, connecting up to the entire south east region and beyond.

Croydon also boasts the UK’s number one tramway system carrying 28 million passengers a year.

West Croydon station is set to be connected to the London Underground network in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

Croydon is London’s most populous borough with over 3 million people living within a 10 mile radius of the town centre.

People spend money here.

Croydon town centre is ranked 4th in London in terms of retail spending, with over £1 billion spent in the area every year.

Croydon is one of London’s most important office hubs, a base for multinational companies and government departments employing many thousands of people locally.

Croydon has a young population with 32.3% under the age of 25.

Recently identified as a ‘growth area’ by Mayor Boris Johnson, and already established as one of the capital’s primary economic and employment hubs, Croydon is set to embark on a multi-million pound makeover which will transform its urban centre.

The introduction of the Croydon Economic Development Company in 2009 will help drive the economy forward out of recession.

This unique new development agency will act as a catalyst for big business, helping to create a superior trading environment across all sectors.

Croydon at mipim 2010

A new public square surrounded by world class architecture Saffron Square, the Gateway Site on Wellesley Road marks the northern entrance to the town centre; it has lain fallow for over ten years and Berkeley Homes are committed to bringing it back to life.

We are proposing a high quality mixed-use development, Saffron Square, incorporating an iconic 44 storey tower and a new one acre public town square. This scheme will comprise shops, cafés, restaurants and offices on the ground floor and part first floor levels, together with 739 residential units on the upper floors.

In keeping with our commitment, Saffron Square will bring a new quality of design and materials to Croydon; these are intended to respond to the prominence of the site and to create a fresh sense of identity. As such, Saffron Square will act as a catalyst for Croydon’s brighter future, stimulating its regeneration and providing huge benefits to the local community.This exciting scheme will add drama and excitement to the Croydon skyline and positively responds to Croydon’s aspiration as a key London destination.

WT Partnership Croydon has been the European headquarters of WT Partnership for over 40 years.

Founded in 1951, WT Partnership is an award-winning, international construction and property consultancy practice providing a wide range of services on projects internationally.

With our main activity being regionally throughout the UK, mainland Europe, South East Asia and Australasia, we draw on the expertise of more than 950 staff operating from our 50 offices worldwide.

At WT Partnership we provide specialist skills in quantity surveying and cost management, project management, facilities management, building consultancy and health and safety consultancy. WT Partnership has extensive experience of servicing contracts for a diverse range of commercial and public sector clients.

We continue to win commissions for some of the largest and highest profile construction projects in the world.

At WT Partnership we work in close partnership with our clients

and their advisors at all phases of the property development process, giving professional, timely and reliable advice on project management and all aspects of cost, value and risk. We are committed to helping our clients accomplish their ultimate commercial objectives through working with them to achieve the most cost-effective project and property solutions. Our senior management’s ‘hands on’ approach is a key ingredient to this.

On most projects, senior managers undertake some of the vital day-to-day functions. This direct involvement helps ensure a better service to our clients while enabling us to more effectively target our resources through informed management.

Recent/current UK Projects include: • NEO Bankside London (pictured) • Refurbishment of the Mandarin Hotel, London • Watermark Place, London • Trinity Walk, Wakefield • O2 Arena, London • Greenwich Millennium Village, London

BERKELEY HOMES (CAPITAL) PLC Berkeley House, 7 Oakhill Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1NQ Launching 2010, register your interest now call 020 8774 9888 or email: Piers.Clanford@berkeleygroup.co.uk contact: Piers Clanford www.berkeleyhomes.co.uk

the companies behind the transformation

1 Lansdowne Road One Lansdowne Road is a £350 million mixed-use proposal for the centre of Croydon designed by acclaimed architect, Piers Gough, CBE of CZWG Architects. The 55-storey tower will accommodate: • • • • •

A 4-star Intercontinental Hotel 330 private and serviced apartments 16 500 m2 of grade A office space A new leisure centre Public restaurant and bar with a cantilevered viewing gallery over Wellesley Road

The scheme is located between East and West Croydon and will create a focal point between the two, attracting further investment to the area. It is intended to energise the development of Lansdowne Road and support the wider regeneration of the Wellesley Road area.

Plans for 1 Lansdowne Road are the result of a detailed three-year

design process. The proposals were unveiled to the public in September 2008 and the development team has continued to work on the design following an extensive consultation with the local community and the London Borough of Croydon.

Most recently, the team has been working with Croydon’s Urban Design Team and Town Planners to finalise the details of the design, ensuring the scheme complements the masterplan for Croydon as a whole.

Developers Guildouse-Rosepride LLP are looking to submit a planning application for 1 Lansdowne Road in the coming months.

Ruskin Square – Croydon’s front door Stanhope and Schroders are working with Croydon Council to regenerate this key site next to East Croydon Station. Ruskin Square will include new offices, housing and leisure facilities, new public realm and direct access to East Croydon Station.

Croydon Council have identified East Croydon as a priority area for investment as it represents the “front door” to the town.

Stanhope and Schroders have been working with Croydon Council and others to pull together an urban design framework for East Croydon.

Improvements now agreed include a new bridge across the tracks providing a direct link from the station into Ruskin Square and further improvements to relieve congestion at the current ticket hall. These works are to be funded by both Network Rail and Croydon Council and will be complete by 2013.

Stanhope and Schroders are currently revising the Ruskin Square masterplan to accommodate this investment in new infrastructure and will undertake public consultation on it in due course.

We have also been shortlisted by the

Housing and Communities Agency as part of the Kick Start 2 initiative in respect of completing a first phase of 184 residential units in early 2012.

With the Council’s focus on this area, we are able to respond quickly to occupiers requirements with a competitive offer for modern office workspace in a new address for London.

Croydon at mipim 2010

CROYDON SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

AT MIPIM 2011

Get involved with Croydon at MIPIM 2011 Croydon Economic Development Company and its key partners will be showcasing the borough in 2011 at the world’s leading international property event.

Don’t miss out on sponsorship and stand participation opportunities in a global market place.

Contact Vernishia Roberts on 020 8686 2233 or email vernishia.roberts@croydonedc.co.uk to discuss how you can get involved.

CROYDONATMIPIM.COM

Xxxxxx Education xxxxx

CROYDON 35

School rules A good education not only provides an excellent start in life, But Also a good skills pool for prospective employers. David Blackman reports on the improvements afoot in Croydon

I

t is increasingly recognised that sustainable regeneration depends on good quality education and that’s why a key focus for the borough’s authorities is improving Croydon’s education offer.

The percentage of Croydon students gaining five good (A*– C) GCSEs is 73% overall, putting the south London borough ahead of the national average.

And some of the borough’s schools are over-subscribed.

But this picture of overall improving standards masks some weak spots in the borough’s provision, which have resulted in more than 30% of primary and 40% of secondary pupils being educated outside of the borough.

Like many urban areas, the educational picture for Croydon is mixed, something

the council is keen to rectify.

Currently 30% of the children who attend Croydon primary schools don’t move on to Croydon secondary schools because parents don’t have sufficient confidence in the schools system as a whole.

To improve this situation, the council has embarked on the Transforming Croydon’s Schools (TCS) programme, one of a number of initiatives that the authority is undertaking to boost education and skills across the borough (see box over page).

The underlying goal of the TCS programme is to ensure that every Croydon school becomes the natural choice for local parents to send their children to.

The council’s programme, which is designed to lever in £550 million worth of funding from the government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative, will affect every school in the borough.

But the biggest impacts are being felt by those pupils attending the five Croydon secondary schools which either have or are due to shut as a result of the programme. They are making way for three new academies. Two of the new schools, the Harris Academy at Purley and Oasis Academy at Shirley - opened last September.

Both are sponsored by well established educational charities. The Purley academy, which specialises in sport, will be the fifth Harris Academy to open in south London.

The third academy, which will replace Selsdon High School, is due to open in time for the beginning of the next academic year. And plans are in place for the redevelopment of the Oasis Academy Coulsdon.

TCS will also see a dramatic increase in sixth-form and further education facilities ➔ providing every Croydon

“

The goal of TCS is to ensure Croydon’s schools become the natural choice for local parents

”

Below: Plans for the Oasis Academy Coulsdon.

CROYDON 36

school with post-16 education.

Meanwhile, special educational needs will not be left behind with one of the closed sites being turned into a new facility for such pupils.

Dave Hill, Croydon’s executive director, children, young people and learners, says: “The programme is one of the largest and most ambitious education projects ever seen in the UK and will transform the standard of education in Croydon.”

The review was approved

by Croydon’s cabinet earlier this year. The council has now received confirmation of entry to the programme from central government.

Improvements in grades are already being seen thanks to the TCS programme. In the year since the Oasis Academy opened its doors, the number

“ “” The development proposals are at the cutting edge of school design and meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability Urban development with towers, like the Odalisk, have raised expectations like the Odalisk, have raised expectations

”

of students achieving the top A*/A grades at the school has already increased by 50% compared to the Coulsdon High School which it replaced.

The release of BSF funding will enable work to begin on the refurbishment and rebuilding of Croydon’s school buildings.

Under plans drawn up for the Oasis Academy, for example, 10% of the new building’s energy will be generated by onsite solar panels. The planned school’s roof would be made of EFTE polymer - the lightweight and recyclable material used to cover the Eden Project’s biomes in Cornwall.

The proposals are at the cutting edge of school design and meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

But it is not only Croydon’s secondary provision which is seeing dramatic change.

The borough is witnessing a surge in demand for primary schools thanks to a combination of rising birth rates, residential development and the recession, which means that many who would have sent their children to prep schools are now seeking places in the state sector.

The council estimates that up to 600 additional reception places will be required by 2011 when the growth in pupil numbers is expected to peak.

But even after that date, it expects the increased numbers to stabilise at this new higher level. And the Department for Children, Schools and Families guidance now requires Croydon to take account of the 6-8,000 new homes currently in the planning pipeline.

The council has already created 411 additional reception places this year and has just

Education plans will mean that every child - regardless of his or her background - will have the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.”

Norbury Manor Croydon wants to foster a new generation of would be entrepeneurs with the opening of a new enterprise learning and education centre.

The centre, which is currently under construction and is due to open this year, will be housed on the site of the Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College.

It will serve pupils aged between 8 and 19 from across the borough. Among the facilities will be a purpose-built venue to help primary school pupils get a grounding in entrepreneurial skills. And secondary school pupils taking the 14-19 diploma and the BTEC in start up skills

will have access to a ‘hot desking’ office where they can run virtual businesses.

Teachers meanwhile will be able to use the centre to update their business and enterprise skills, which they can then incorporate into the curriculum.

The project has been funded by a £7.5 million grant from the Learning and Skills Council and £1.2 million from the Croydon Enterprise programme.

Norbury Manor’s headteacher David Sands comments: “The enterprise centre will enable us to build on our business and enterprise specialism and also develop our work with the local community and local businesses.” n

Croydon Retail Skills Centre

Croydon is an important retail centre, reflected in its ranking in 14th place in Experian’s most recent retail rankings published in November 2009.

To ensure that Croydon’s own workforce has the best possible chance of accessing the employment generated by its shopping sector, the council is developing a retail skills centre. Based in the Whitgift shopping centre, the facility is designed to meet the skills needs of Croydon’s retail sector.

By joining up the services provided by Job Centre Plus and Croydon College, the centre is designed to make it easier for local people to access help, training and job vacancies in one place. Long term, the goal is to turn the centre into a Retail Academy.

CROYDON 37

approved the creation of a new primary school offering 90 reception places on the site of the closed secondary school at Selsdon. Plans for the new primary include a potential partnership with the next door BRIT School, which specialises in the performing arts.

In addition, members and officers are investigating the feasibility of expanding another 17 existing primary schools.

There is a need to create places where demand is highest, the north and centre of the borough, to minimise the distance pupils have to travel to school.

Hill is confident the changes the council is planning will deliver better outcomes for Croydon’s children. He says: “Children growing up in Croydon deserve the best possible start in life, and the

As part of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading executive search firm, Odgers Berndtsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialist Regeneration Practice is able to source talented senior executives and board members from public and commercial sectors in physical, social and economic regeneration.

Odgers Berndtson were delighted to work in partnership with Croydon Council and Croydon Economic Development Company in recruiting an outstanding top team for both organisations.

Odgers Berndtson 11 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JJ 020 7529 1111 www.odgersberndtson.co.uk

Alasdair Spink Head of Regeneration Practice 020 7529 1124 alasdair.spink@odgersberndtson.co.uk

Edward Evans Associate Consultant 020 7529 1085 edward.evans@odgersberndtson.co.uk

L@= GFDQ J=?=F=J9LAGF >MF<AF? =N=FL L@9L ;GMFLK ?d^c aZVY^c\ ZmeZgih VcY egVXi^i^dcZgh Vi i]Z J@¼h gZ\ZcZgVi^dc [jcY^c\ hjbb^i

Cdl ^c ^ih i]^gY nZVg ¹° i]Z WZhi Wn V adc\ lVn ^c iZgbh d[ i]Z fjVa^in d[ Wdi] heZV`Zgh VcY ViiZcYZZh [gdb Y^[[ZgZci Wji XdbeaZbZciVgn WVX`\gdjcYh#º ?6B>: @:GG! ?d]c AV^c\#

innovations in regeneration finance

&+ ?jcZ '%&%! AdcYdc lll#hdX^ckZhi#Xd#j` ◆ GZ"Zc\^cZZg^c\ A67Kh [dg i]Z cZl YZXVYZ ◆ I]Z ^bea^XVi^dch d[ edhi"ZaZXi^dc <dkZgcbZci eda^X^Zh ◆ ?:HH>86 VcY :jgdeZVc [jcYh ◆ >ckZhibZci higViZ\n dei^dch ◆ 6aiZgcVi^kZ hdjgXZh d[ Ä cVcXZ ◆ IVm >cXgZbZci ;^cVcX^c\ ◆ 8dhi"Z[[ZXi^kZ egdXjgZbZci ◆ ;jcY^c\ V[[dgYVWaZ ]djh^c\ =^\]"aZkZa hiZZg^c\ Xdbb^iiZZ VcY heZV`Zg [VXjain ^cXajYZh/ HVgV] L]^icZn! 87 G^X]VgY :aa^h GZ\ZcZgVi^dc VcY 9ZkZadebZci 8]g^h BjggVn! 8dgZ 8^i^Zh HXdi Bdgg^hdc! E^chZci BVhdch 8da^c Gdhh! 7VgcZi 8djcX^a 6Yg^Vc 8aZgn! 8daa^Zgh 8G: HijVgi =dl^Z! El8 6Yk^hdgn :bbV EZiZgh! 8gdnYdc 8djcX^a HiZe]Zc HdggZaa! :kZgh]ZYh IgZkdg 7ZVii^Z! =86 8]g^h BjcYVn! LZah] 6hhZbWan <dkZgcbZci 9Vk^Y 8ddeZg! 7VgXaVnh 8dbbZgX^Va 7Vc` ?Vb^Z @Zgg! ?d]c AV^c\ EZiZg 8dhbZiVidh! 7g^i^h] EgdeZgin ;ZYZgVi^dc EA6I>CJB HEDCHDG/

LDG@H=DE HEDCHDGH/

:K:CI E6GIC:GH/

DG<6C>H:9 7N/

B :Vgan 7^gY 9^hXdjci/ Wdd` WZ[dgZ BVgX] (&hi [dg V &%% Y^hXdjci :bV^a/ hdX^ckZhi5([dm^ciZgcVi^dcVa#Xdb ;jaa YZiV^ah Vi lll#hdX^ckZhi#Xd#j`

CROYDON 40

Facts and figures that you might not know about London’s biggest borough...

The facts behind Croydon

LONDON

LHR

339,000 the largest population in London

Croydon is one of the London Plan’s opportunity areas Pilot authority for the

HCA’s single conversation

Employment.

Green.

n Average gross weekly earning

n The borough has over 300 parks making one third of Croydon green space

£498

93%

n employment in Croydon is in SMEs

n Croydon has seven green flag parks n Happy Valley offers over 100-hectares of grass and woodland

Emma Statistics Peters

33%

qualified to NVQ4 (national 29%)

73%

of pupils gained five A*- C grade GCSEs

25%

of the population is under 18

South Croydon’s

Le Cassoulet won Time Out’s Best Local Restaurant 2008

Retail.

House prices.

n 14th in UK retail ranking

n Average £227,014 n Detached £437,066 n Semi-detached £261,531 n Terraced £201,106 n Flat £165,206

n Over

230,000

sq m of retail space n Whitgift shopping centre has 140 stores n 60+ shops in Centrale mall

Source: Land Registry Sept 2009

Transport.

16

n minutes by train from Victoria and Gatwick Airport n London’s only tram network transports 27 million people annually

Fairfield Halls seats 1,789 and The Beatles and Elton John have graced its stage

n 42% of Croydon’s workforce work within 5km of home

CROYDON 41

Education.

Quality Xxxxxx xxxxx of life

Croydon 43

Surprising Croydon It is not only its proximity to central London that draws people and businesses to Croydon. Its vibrant, metropolitan centre, coupled with its green spaces and tree-lined pockets of suburbia, gives Croydon all the benefits of a standalone city and an enviable quality of life, as Charlotte Goodworth discovers

W

hat seems to set Croydon apart from the other London boroughs is the fact that, while it boasts fantastic geographical positioning, lying just 15 minutes by train from both central London and Gatwick Airport, it is also very much a destination in its own right. Croydon has its own large centre, its own suburbs and its own countryside, creating an

attractive proposition for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

This city-within-a-city feel is hugely beneficial for businesses in the borough and is often what draws companies to relocate here, according to Jon Rouse, Croydon Council chief executive: “Croydon is imbued with a really strong spirit of partnership, so that business, voluntary sector, council, college… we just work incredibly

➔

Croydon 44

Quality of life

Croydon 45

Left top: Croydon is home to the BRIT school.

Left below: It is also home to a surprising array of wildlife.

closely together and we support one another as a single family. You just don’t get that in central London in the same way. We are large enough to have all the facilities and the public transport links that you would want in a business environment, but also small enough that we all know each other, and there’s a great mutual support network. We all pitch in to make Croydon a better place.”

This business support network is clearly evidenced through the numerous services offered to existing and potential residents and companies by the Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC).

Michael O’Brien, a planner for the council, explains the benefits to be gleaned by taking advantage of one of these services:“The Business Friendly Planning Service aims to assist local businesses who wish to expand or move premises, or those wanting to invest in the borough. The service can aid businesses in saving time and money by giving fast, free and trustworthy planning advice.”

With a great range of commercial properties available or in the pipeline, such as the Gateway site for companies wishing to have their own headquarters built, or existing available buildings like Prospect West, the CEDC is also keen to offer assistance in obtaining the right site. The Property Brokerage Service provides a selection of commercial property advice to existing businesses and matches new businesses to available properties.

Paul Baverstock, property consultant for the Property Brokerage Service, believes such services are helping to keep the

economy moving in Croydon: “Both the Property Brokerage Service and Business Friendly Planners are increasingly involved with giving detailed advice and support to existing businesses in the Croydon districts during these tough economic times, helping to maintain the economic vitality in the borough, which in turn has a role in attracting new businesses.”

Croydon is becoming a favourite site for business headquarters because it can offer such affordable office rates, which is more crucial than ever, as Jon Rouse points out: “Relocating to Croydon is a good opportunity to beat the recession by paying rents that you would only get a long way outside of London. For somebody who’s paying £70 or £80 per sq ft in the West End, you can travel just 13 minutes from Victoria and be paying £25 per square foot and you’d be joining a vibrant business community that’s got a great mix of large, medium and small businesses already here, including up to 20 blue chips, with access to a good workforce, a good skills base and a good supplier base.”

The borough’s affordability is also a big appeal for residents relocating to within its borders, as Keith Taylor, residential sales manager at Connells Estate Agents in Croydon, comments: “Croydon is the least expensive borough in London so it’s very good value for money. Transport links are good, there’s a diversity of shops and entertainment options, and it’s a convenient location for London. In Croydon, you can buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse with underground parking for about £300,000, whereas in ➔

“

Croydon has a great mutual support network. We work together to make Croydon a better place

”

“

We have a great mix of large, medium and small businesses with access to a good workforce, a good skills base and good supplier base

”

Croydon 46

“

Our GCSE results have improved 16% over the last two years, well above the national average and one of the best results in London for state schools. We have great private schools as well so you’ve got really good choices in terms of education

”

Right: Croydon clocktower is a mix of old and new architecture.

London it would be £600,000 to £1 million.”

Conference facilities are also a prime feature of Croydon’s business offer, boosted by its convenient location between Gatwick and central London, and the M25 and central London, with venues in the centre, as well as in a countryside environment, such as Selsdon Park Hotel and Addington Palace.

Its countryside is possibly Croydon’s best kept secret. Just five minutes from the hive of activity that is the centre, you encounter beautiful green spaces and peaceful suburban living. One of London’s greenest boroughs, almost one third is green space with woodland covering 8%, and countryside parks such as Happy Valley and the introduction of ‘green trails’ make this an attractive place to live. South Croydon in particular is very family friendly, with its tree-lined residential streets and easy access to the countryside.

Croydon’s transport links are key to its popularity, offering its own unique tram network and quick access to Gatwick, the M25 and central London. But the borough’s already excellent connectivity is set to improve later this year. During the next year or so, there will be a new rail link from West Croydon to the Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway, giving access to East London and the London 2012 Olympics’ main site.

Businesses relocating to the borough can expect to choose from a skilled workforce.

Education and training is improving year on year, with over 30% of work-age residents in 2007 achieving qualifications of NVQ4 and above, higher than the national average and a significant improvement on five years ago. Three secondary schools have achieved ‘outstanding’ OFSTED reports and Croydon College is one of south London’s top institutions.

Jon Rouse adds: “Seventythree per cent of Croydon school children are getting five GCSEs at grades A*-C and our GCSE

results have improved 16% over the last two years, which is well above the national average and one of the best results in London for state schools. We have great private schools as well so you’ve got really good choices in terms of education.”

Croydon is, of course, home to the famed BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, whose former students include Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis, while the new CEDC-funded Building Enterprise Centre at New Addington provides essential practical and business skills for local people.

When they’re not learning or training, the people of Croydon have a wide selection of ways to relax and enjoy themselves on offer within the borough. The town centre is bursting with all the popular high-street shops, complemented by over 7,700 car parking spaces, and is on a par with Bluewater in terms of retail spending.

Croydon Clocktower, an award winning cultural and community complex, is home to the third largest public library in the country. Fairfield Halls contains a 1,789-seat concert hall and the 763-seat Ashcroft Theatre, and provides a base for the nationally renowned London Mozart Players. The Warehouse Theatre promotes new talent, as well as comedy and youth theatre, and there is also a good selection of cinemas.

Eating out in Croydon can be a difficult business, only because there are so many restaurants to choose from, offering cuisine from around the world. In fact there are 800 restaurants, cafes and bars, and nine nightclubs across the borough. French restaurant, Le Cassoulet, in south Croydon was Time Out’s ‘Best Local Restaurant’ in 2008 and its proprietor, Michael John, has now opened a fish restaurant in central Croydon.

Beyond the permanent attractions, Croydon also offers ➔ a great deal in terms of

Croydon 47

Quality Xxxxxx xxxxx of life

Croydon 48 Above: Visitors are often surprised by how green Croydon is.

events, from the ever-popular Jazz Festival to the Summer Festival, which now attracts more than 50,000 visitors. Two new events were launched in 2008 and are likely to become firm favourites on the local festival calendar: Croydon Fashion Festival, which received international acclaim, and the month-long Croydon Food Festival.

The new Visitor Information Centre opened by the Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) hopes to allow visitors to get the most out of their time in the borough while helping to promote local businesses and their services.

Sporty types will not be disappointed either, as there are excellent facilities on offer including Croydon Sports

Arena, numerous swimming pools with gyms, 16 counciltennis courts as well as several championship-standard golf courses. Croydon also has a rather proud sporting heritage, and is home to Crystal Palace Football Club and the Crystal Palace National Sport Centre, one of the UK’s top athletics stadiums.

In terms of healthcare, Croydon Primary Care NHS Trust is rated sixth out of 25 London Primary Care Trusts on use of resources and on meeting core standards, and the Trust’s Strategic Partnership was judged the best in the country in delivering a sustainable community by the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal.

There are 66 GP surgeries in the borough, 25 within 2.2 miles of the town centre.

Even with so much already on offer in Croydon, the council is keen to keep improving the borough to make it even more attractive for residents, businesses and visitors alike, through improvements such as those at East Croydon station due on line in the next couple of years.

With property selling quickly and estate agents short of stock, Croydon is preparing for an improvement in the economic climate and a further heightening of the quality of life here, as Jon Rouse confirms: “Despite the recession, Croydon is well placed regenerationwise to take advantage of the economic recovery when it comes.” n

croydon 50

Masterplanning is a vital element of urban regeneration.

Croydon Council is putting together five masterplans to transform the town centre.

All mapped out Croydon Council brought together all the design teams working on the five masterplans for the town centre at a unique series of summit events at Fairfield Halls. The speed-dating format Contact enabled the project teams to share ideas and information and identify common spatial objectives.

The councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban design team will be running similar events in 2010 as the masterplans develop.

The shape of the future for Croydon…

Saffron Square is a high quality mixed-use development, incorporating an iconic tower and a new one acre public town square comprising; • The spectacular iconic 44 storey tower incorporating a light feature that adds excitement to the Croydon skyline.

• 3,026 sq m of retail floor space including shops, restaurants and cafés surrounding a new public square.

• Private residential studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses.

• Creation of improved permeability and safeguarding of future pedestrian links between East and West Croydon Stations.

Time taken from East Croydon Station London Bridge Gatwick London Victoria Canary Wharf St. Pancras

....................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

14 mins 15 mins 17 mins 28 mins 29 mins

BERKELEY HOMES (CAPITAL) PLC Berkeley House, 7 Oakhill Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1NQ

Launching 2010 Register your interest now call 020 8774 9888 or email: Piers.Clanford@berkeleygroup.co.uk contact: Piers Clanford

www.berkeleyhomes.co.uk

Computer generated image for illustrative purposes only. Journey times approximate, source: www.nationalrail.co.uk

MAKING TOMORROW A BETTER PLACE

Schal and TPS view Croydon as Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third City We are a creative team of professional engineers, project managers and architects who achieve success for ourselves by contributing to the success of our customers.

With headquarters in Croydon for 20 years, TPS provide high quality, cost effective and sustainable design solutions tailored to the speciď&#x192;&#x17E;c needs of our customers. Schal are our specialist client project management group.

Schal and TPS are Carillion companies.

Schal / TPS Centre Tower, Whitgift Centre Croydon CR9 0AU T. +44 (0)8256 4300 F. +44 (0)8256 4116 E. info@schal.co.uk | info@tpsconsult.co.uk

www.schal.co.uk | www.tpsconsult.co.uk Tate Modern, Bankside