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Boris backs Croydon regeneration
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| Boris Johnson |
Boris Johnson has backed plans for the extensive regeneration of Croydon.
At Mayor's Question Time today, the new mayor praised Croydon's new developments, such as the recently approved Croydon Gateway, as "adornments" to the area, stating that he supports "wonderful new high rises" where appropriate.
The Croydon Gateway development, also known as Ruskin Square, is between East Croydon train station and Croydon town centre. It will include apartments, affordable homes, landscaped open space, office space, cafés, brasseries, restaurants and a new theatre.
Steve O'Connell, Conservative London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton, said: "Croydon Council is working hard to transform the borough after years of neglect. It's great to have the support and encouragement of London's new mayor and I am looking forward to working with him to deliver Croydon's much-needed improvements."
8:03pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 9:56pm Wed 21 May 08
Sounds great!!!
Posted by: SV, Croydon on 11:25pm Wed 21 May 08
Depends what he means. It was also on the news that he thought Croydon had no views to protect. That sounds a little too much like a developers charter to me.
Croydon needs regeneration, but it must also protect the place for liveability.
Croydon is not just a place to get drunk in and to shop in Primark.
Surely Croydon should aspire to more. Better developments, better homes, more jobs, more Culture. Less booze, less empty shops.
Croydon has a long way to go - that equals hard work, not glib statements. Results, not spin.
Depends what he means. It was also on the news that he thought Croydon had no views to protect. That sounds a little too much like a developers charter to me.
Croydon needs regeneration, but it must also protect the place for liveability.
Croydon is not just a place to get drunk in and to shop in Primark.
Surely Croydon should aspire to more. Better developments, better homes, more jobs, more Culture. Less booze, less empty shops.
Croydon has a long way to go - that equals hard work, not glib statements. Results, not spin.
Posted by: Pete, Surbiton on 6:48am Thu 22 May 08
Landscaped open space in Croydon is certainly a good idea in my opinion. It's time something was done about the old concrete jungle.
There's a fairly continuous green corridor from Lloyds Park through into the open Surrey and Kent countryside, via a number of other parks, forests and golf courses. I think that if this could be linked somehow to Beddington Park and the River Wandle, then that would probably provide an enormous boost for wildlife and biodiversity, as well as making Croydon town centre more pleasant into the bargain too.
I can't see how the Croydon Gateway development is going to do that all by itself, though. Still, if they get it right, then it might be a first step in the right direction for other developers.
Having said that, upon first impressions, it looks as though the need for wildlife corridors hasn't really been thought about. The "landscaping" seems to be no more than a token pledge to plant just one or two trees. So I don't think the Croydon Gateway will really help wildlife at all.
If Boris is as keen to see green spaces as he said in his manifesto, then I think he should send this one back to the drawing board.
Landscaped open space in Croydon is certainly a good idea in my opinion. It's time something was done about the old concrete jungle.
There's a fairly continuous green corridor from Lloyds Park through into the open Surrey and Kent countryside, via a number of other parks, forests and golf courses. I think that if this could be linked somehow to Beddington Park and the River Wandle, then that would probably provide an enormous boost for wildlife and biodiversity, as well as making Croydon town centre more pleasant into the bargain too.
I can't see how the Croydon Gateway development is going to do that all by itself, though. Still, if they get it right, then it might be a first step in the right direction for other developers.
Having said that, upon first impressions, it looks as though the need for wildlife corridors hasn't really been thought about. The "landscaping" seems to be no more than a token pledge to plant just one or two trees. So I don't think the Croydon Gateway will really help wildlife at all.
If Boris is as keen to see green spaces as he said in his manifesto, then I think he should send this one back to the drawing board.
Posted by: Kes, Upper Norwood on 1:10pm Thu 22 May 08
[quote][bold]SV[/bold] wrote:
Depends what he means. It was also on the news that he thought Croydon had no views to protect. That sounds a little too much like a developers charter to me. Croydon needs regeneration, but it must also protect the place for liveability. Croydon is not just a place to get drunk in and to shop in Primark. Surely Croydon should aspire to more. Better developments, better homes, more jobs, more Culture. Less booze, less empty shops. Croydon has a long way to go - that equals hard work, not glib statements. Results, not spin. [/quote] Give the man a chance before accusing him of spin!It took us 10 years of New Labour to find out what spin was really about. Only now have the voters cottoned on- I can't wait for the Crewe and Nantwich result.
SV wrote:
Depends what he means. It was also on the news that he thought Croydon had no views to protect. That sounds a little too much like a developers charter to me. Croydon needs regeneration, but it must also protect the place for liveability. Croydon is not just a place to get drunk in and to shop in Primark. Surely Croydon should aspire to more. Better developments, better homes, more jobs, more Culture. Less booze, less empty shops. Croydon has a long way to go - that equals hard work, not glib statements. Results, not spin.
Give the man a chance before accusing him of spin!It took us 10 years of New Labour to find out what spin was really about. Only now have the voters cottoned on- I can't wait for the Crewe and Nantwich result.
Posted by: Kes, Upper Norwood on 1:16pm Thu 22 May 08
Oh, and of course, 12 years of Labour running Croydon. 27% council tax increase one year from them- what happened to all our money??
Oh, and of course, 12 years of Labour running Croydon. 27% council tax increase one year from them- what happened to all our money??
Posted by: Brian, Croydon on 4:07pm Thu 22 May 08
The City Hall webcast about two hours in shows that Boris made fun out of whether there are any historic views in Croydon worth saving in his planning decisions.
The City Hall webcast about two hours in shows that Boris made fun out of whether there are any historic views in Croydon worth saving in his planning decisions.
Posted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 10:07pm Thu 22 May 08
I wish someone would regenerate me............
I wish someone would regenerate me............
Posted by: Richard, Croydon on 2:32pm Fri 23 May 08
I’m not surprised BoJo doesn’t feel Croydon has any historic views when the few attractive buildings we do have are surrounded and dwarfed by such awful 1960’s monstrosities. For example the Library and clock tower which is a beautiful building by any town’s standards, is sandwiched between the offices at St Georges walk and Croydon council’s headquarters!
I do think the council and planners need a fresh outlook, regeneration isn’t just about filling in unused spaces and building ‘fancy’ shopping centers its about making the most of what you already have and complimenting current buildings and spaces.
I’m not surprised BoJo doesn’t feel Croydon has any historic views when the few attractive buildings we do have are surrounded and dwarfed by such awful 1960’s monstrosities. For example the Library and clock tower which is a beautiful building by any town’s standards, is sandwiched between the offices at St Georges walk and Croydon council’s headquarters!
I do think the council and planners need a fresh outlook, regeneration isn’t just about filling in unused spaces and building ‘fancy’ shopping centers its about making the most of what you already have and complimenting current buildings and spaces.
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