MASTER plans designed to regenerate both East and West Croydon are expected to go out to public consultation in September.
Approval for the draft plans for both areas was given by Croydon Council's cabinet on Monday.
Work will now start on refining the details before the consultation is launched.
Simon Hoar, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, told Monday's meeting he was confident the regeneration would be completed. He said: "For the first time the key developers and key land owners have been involved with us in the process of drawing up the plans."
Councillor Hoar said they had been intrinsic in developing the master plans, which should make implementation easier.
In the case of East Croydon, the council set up a project board with developers Stanhope/Schroders and Menta, who own key sites around the station, as well as Transport for London, Network Rail, the Homes and Communities Agency and Royal Mail to come up with a shared vision.
A similar board with many of the same partners plus Barratt Homes and St Michael and All Angels Church was established for West Croydon.
Main proposals contained in the East Croydon plan include a new bridge linking Cherry Orchard Road with Lansdowne Road via Stanhope/Schroders' Ruskin Square site, large-scale improvements to East Croydon station to increase capacity and a new transport interchange for trams, taxis and buses.
These projects will be coordinated with new housing and office developments, and a new home for the Warehouse Theatre.
The West Croydon master plan presents the opening of the East London Line extension as a catalyst for the area to become "a front door for Croydon".
Principle objectives include a new and improved station and transport interchange, better pedestrian connections between West Croydon, North End and the Whitgift Centre, and the provision of quality housing.
One idea involves a cluster of new developments around the station including three- and four-storey residential towers.
But the plan stresses: "Development and improvement in West Croydon should not be at the expense of losing all of the current character."
The consultation is planned to start on September 3 and run until October 13. People will be able view and make comments on plans online and there will be public workshops.
Article from www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk
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