Signs of Progress?

According to Property Week there may finally be signs of progress wrt developing the Gateway site next door to East Croydon Station:

"Stanhope and Schroders have submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Ruskin Square, adjacent to East Croydon Station.

The mixed-use scheme, which will be developed on a nine acre site, will provide1m sq ft of office space and 550 new homes, creating a new business and residential quarter at the ‘front door’ to Croydon.

The Ruskin Square masterplan also provides for a new direct route connecting the East Croydon Station with the town centre through the site.

David Camp, chief executive of Stanhope, said: “Just 15 minutes from central London by train, Ruskin Square offers modern workspace and residential accommodation in a new place just 2 minutes from an improved transport hub with competitive property prices and easy access to town centre retail and cultural amenities.”

Ian Mason, head of UK property fund management at Schroders, added: 'Ruskin Square is the centerpiece of East Croydon’s transformation into a new central business district. It will deliver restaurants, cafes, a theatre, new homes, new public routes and outdoor space and 1m sq ft of grade ‘A’ office space.'

A first phase of housing at Ruskin Square could be started to coincide with the expected opening date of the new station access footbridge in 2013."

The Times has issued a separate report on the subject, which indicates that Nestle may be persuaded to move there.

Lest there be any doubt, the reason that this site remains undeveloped is because of the council (both the current administration, and the previous Labour administration) allying themselves to the doomed Arena project.