Croydon Council sells off fifteen key sites to recoup cash

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

The Croydon Park Hotel is one of the 15 sites set to be sold off by the council as it faces a major financial crisis.

Croydon Council bought the hotel for £30m in 2018, but it went into administration last summer.

It was a controversial purchase and the decision was slammed as ‘inherently flawed’ by the council’s own auditors Grant Thornton.

The 210-room hotel is set to be marketed for sale this spring, with bids to close in August.

The final decision on a buyer will be made later this year.

At a meeting last week, shadow cabinet member for finance, Jason Cummings, said: “The purchase of the Croydon Park Hotel has been one that has attracted a lot of comment and controversy from the very start.

“As the council is now divesting themselves from this investment, can we now accept that this wasn’t a good idea and the council is better off without it.”

Cabinet member for Croydon renewal, Stuart King, said the council’s “risk appetite” has changed to reflect the circumstances it is in.

An interim asset disposal strategy has now been approved and earmarks 15 sites that the council wants to sell off.

Before any future sales are agreed, officers will develop a business case, receive an independent property valuation, give details of any requirements to carry out public consultation and appoint specialist estate agents to market the sites.

Councillor Stuart King, Croydon Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for Croydon renewal, said: “The council has a number of sites we no longer need which could bring in much-needed income and reduce expensive running costs if we were to sell them.

“This strategy gives the council a clearer process around deciding how to get best value for Croydon taxpayers on selling in the right way and at the right time sites that we no longer require.”

The other 14 sites set to be sold, include some unused sites and several that were earmarked for development by council-owned developer Brick by Brick.

The company, which was loaned more than £200 million by the council, is going ot be closed down and will only complete 29 developments under contract, most of which are set to be finished by October this year.

The following 14 sites are on the list:

Glazier House, Birdhurst Road, South Croydon

The former hostel was most recently used by the council’s early help team which is relocating to New Addington.

Heath Lodge, Grangewood Park, Thornton Heath

In January 2020, Croydon Council scrapped plans to sell off this empty park keepers lodge after fierce opposition from locals. The council thinks that it would cost £150,000 to refurbish the lodge.

TAVR, Broadcoombe, Monks Hill

The empty community building is made up of six linked portacabins and outside area.

Edgecoombe, Monks Hill

A cleared site adjacent the park which was formerly used as a scout hut and community building.

2 Godstone Road, Kenley

A former residential building that has fallen into disrepair and has major structural issues. Property website Zoopla estimates it has a value of £529,000.

Drayton Road, Croydon Old Town

A former community building at the back of a new community centre, it was earmarked to be developed by Brick by Brick but was yet to receive planning permission.

Kempfield, Reedham Park Drive, Kenley

Former children’s home which was closed down in 2010. This was one of the Brick by Brick sites handed back to the council, 19 flats were proposed for the site but no planning permission was granted.

Beulah Family Church annexe, Thornton Heath

Currently used as a daycare facility for adults with disabilities

Former Buffer Bear site, New Addington

Cleared former community use site.

Former CALAT Coulsdon, Malcolm Road and Coulsdon Community Centre, Barrie Close site

The pair are linked and set to be sold together. The old CALAT Centre, a former school building with parking, is currently occupied by property guardians. It was another Brick by Brick site with planning permission, including for a new health centre. Coulsdon Community Centre would need to be relocated.

Garage Site, Windmill Road

Former garages were set to be developed by Brick by Brick and had planning permission.

Peter Sylvester Centre, South Croydon

This day centre for adults with disabilities has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Goldcrest Youth Centre, New Addington

The council says this building which is used to provide youth services is expensive to maintain and the new Timebridge Centre could be used instead.

Turnaround Centre/Cavendish House, South End Croydon