Croydon’s new £6 million OnSide Youth Zone came a step closer to reality this week when the planning application was approved by Croydon Council.

Once completed, the Youth Zone means young people of the borough will be able to access 20 activities at a brand new centre which will be located on the junction of Whitehorse Road and Boulogne Road.

Croydon Youth Zone, which was named Legacy following a public vote by 3,000 young people, will open every night of the week. It is for anyone aged between eight and 19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs.

OnSide’s Project Director Dr Mark Ward said: “Gaining planning consent in Croydon is really exciting for everybody involved, especially the young people of the area.

"Youth Zones have a remarkable track record of changing the lives of so many young people and we can’t wait for that offer to extend to Croydon.

"Our next step is to get on the site and get building this fantastic facility.”

It is being developed by the national charity OnSide with Croydon Council contributing £3.25million towards the construction costs and £300,000 of the annual £1million revenue budget. Other contributors to the capital funding include The Queen’s Trust (£1million), The Stone Family Foundation (£500,000) and The Fidelity UK Foundation (£250,000).

Sports facilities will include an outdoor 3G kick pitch, an indoor four-court sports hall, and a fully equipped gymnasium and fitness suite. The centre will also have a music room, and an arts, crafts and media room, as well as an enterprise and employability suite, group project rooms, and a recreation area with games, pool tables and sofas.