One of the businesses that could put a stop to the £1bn Westfield/Hammerson shopping centre redevelopment plan in Croydon town centre has decided not to give evidence at the public inquiry.

Organisations including Sainsbury's, Natwest Bank and WH Smith are opposed to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) of land on North End agreed by the council last April.

If it is approved by the Secretary of State for Local Government then businesses on the land where the Westfield/Hammerson development will be built, including the Whitgift Centre, can be bought up and demolished.

Before it gets to the minister it must be recommended for approval or dismissal by planning inspector Paul Griffiths.

Sainsbury’s was due to outline its objections to the CPO at the public inquiry, held at Bernard Weatherill House, today.

But it decided not to give evidence although it has not withdrawn its objections.

Today the Whitgift Trust is set to give evidence about why it is opposed to the CPO.

The Trust manages and part-owns the Whitgift Centre, and had also been fighting in the courts against Croydon Council’s granting of planning permission for the scheme.

It lost its final Court of Appeal battle on February 12.

The Trust is unconnected to the Whitgift Foundation.