Agenda item

Officer: Heather Cheesbrough

Key decision: yes

Following consideration of:

1. The representations made by third party landowners and other matters set out in Parts 1 and 3 of the report, the Cabinet RESOLVED that:

a.    the Executive Director of Place, acting in consultation with the Director of Law & Monitoring Officer, be authorised on behalf of the Council to enter into a further supplementary agreement to the CPO Indemnity and Land Transfer Agreement ("ILTA") with Croydon Limited Partnership, Westfield Corporation Limited, Hammerson UK Properties Plc and Whitgift Limited Partnership to give effect to the amendments to the ILTA referred to in section 5 of the report.

Following consideration of:

2. The evidence supplied by the Developer and the advice in relation to satisfaction of the pre-conditions to drawdown of third party land pursuant to the ILTA (as proposed to be amended) contained in Part 2 of the report and in the exempt report in Part B of the agenda for the meeting, together with the matters set out in Part 3 of the report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to agree that the Executive Director of Place, acting in consultation with the Director of Law & Monitoring Officer be authorised to:

a.    take all necessary steps to implement the The London Borough of Croydon (Whitgift Centre and Surrounding Land bounded by and including parts of Poplar Walk, Wellesley Road, George Street and North End) Compulsory Purchase Order 2014 ("the CPO") including the execution of one or more General Vesting Declarations and the service of Notices to Treat and Notices of Entry in respect of interests and rights within the Order Land specified in the the Drawdown Notice;

b.    take all necessary steps in relation to the acquisition of land and new rights and settlement of compensation and any other claims or disputes including legal proceedings relating to the implementation of the CPO, defending or settling claims made to the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal and/or any applications made to the Courts and any appeals;

c.    in the event that a valid Call Option Notice is served on the Council on behalf of the Developer in accordance with the terms of the ILTA (as amended):

1.    to appropriate the Council's land interests referred to in paragraph 10.1 for planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972; and 

2.    to arrange for the transfer to the Developer of the Council owned land within the redevelopment site identified in paragraphs 10.1 and 10.13; and

d.    take all other necessary steps in relation to the implementation of the CPO and in relation to the Council's obligations under the ILTA.

The Leader stated that delivering the Westfield project was hugely important for the future of Croydon. It was noted that the announcement that John Lewis would be an anchor store in the new development was made on the day that an announcement was also made that a number of House of Fraser stores would be closed nationally. It was recognised that the retail offer was changing and that the council would work to ensure that Croydon was at the heart of 21^st century retail.

The Statutory Deputy Leader provided the Cabinet meeting with a presentation which can be viewed on the meeting webcast. The Cabinet Member noted that it was one of most exciting papers to be considered by the council and was the next step in delivering a long held ambition, however it remained important to ensure that the whole borough benefited from the redevelopment. Benefits of the project included; new jobs, public realm improvements, increased business rates, and additional homes with 20% being affordable.

Members were informed that planning permission had been granted previously, however a new application was submitted which increased the area of the site to include a new M&S, more housing, additional public realm, and a step free route between East and West Croydon. This revised planning application had received planning permission in 2017.

The Leader confirmed that there was a Part B paper to the report, however all decisions relating to the item would be made publically.

The Leader of the Opposition welcomed the paper and the announcement that John Lewis would be an anchor store in the development, however raised concerns regarding the postponed opening and the impact the building works would have on the town centre. The Cabinet Member recognised there would be a huge impact on the town centre and stated the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share) had been working on developing a construction logistics plan which would be brought to a future Cabinet meeting.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member confirmed the council’s commitment to introduce further apprenticeship opportunities and suggested that cross-party work could be undertaken to improve opportunities. The Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs further noted that the construction skills academy in New Addington would have an important role in this area, and the council would work with the developers to provide opportunities.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that some shops within the town centre would remain open during the construction, while others would relocate to the Centrale shopping centre. The Croydon Partnership and the council were working with businesses to ensure they are able to continue to trade.

In response to Member questions the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport stated that there was a real focus on ensuring that the centre was built as quickly as possible, and that a phased development could prove difficult and an increased timeline. To ensure that the town centre remained a place to visit during construction there would a number of Meanwhile projects taking place.

Cabinet deferred decision making on this item until consideration of an associated Part B report was considered (see minute number 50/18). Following conclusion of Part B of the agenda, Cabinet moved back into Part A and made all decisions in public.

The Leader of the Council delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below.

Following consideration of:

1. The representations made by third party landowners and other matters set out in Parts 1 and 3 of the report, the Cabinet RESOLVED that:

a.    the Executive Director of Place, acting in consultation with the Director of Law & Monitoring Officer, be authorised on behalf of the Council to enter into a further supplementary agreement to the CPO Indemnity and Land Transfer Agreement ("ILTA") with Croydon Limited Partnership, Westfield Corporation Limited, Hammerson UK Properties Plc and Whitgift Limited Partnership to give effect to the amendments to the ILTA referred to in section 5 of the report.

Following consideration of:

2. The evidence supplied by the Developer and the advice in relation to satisfaction of the pre-conditions to drawdown of third party land pursuant to the ILTA (as proposed to be amended) contained in Part 2 of the report and in the exempt report in Part B of the agenda for the meeting, together with the matters set out in Part 3 of the report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to agree that the Executive Director of Place, acting in consultation with the Director of Law & Monitoring Officer be authorised to:

a.    take all necessary steps to implement the The London Borough of Croydon (Whitgift Centre and Surrounding Land bounded by and including parts of Poplar Walk, Wellesley Road, George Street and North End) Compulsory Purchase Order 2014 ("the CPO") including the execution of one or more General Vesting Declarations and the service of Notices to Treat and Notices of Entry in respect of interests and rights within the Order Land specified in the the Drawdown Notice;

b.    take all necessary steps in relation to the acquisition of land and new rights and settlement of compensation and any other claims or disputes including legal proceedings relating to the implementation of the CPO, defending or settling claims made to the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal and/or any applications made to the Courts and any appeals;

c.    in the event that a valid Call Option Notice is served on the Council on behalf of the Developer in accordance with the terms of the ILTA (as amended):

1.    to appropriate the Council's land interests referred to in paragraph 10.1 for planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972; and 

2.    to arrange for the transfer to the Developer of the Council owned land within the redevelopment site identified in paragraphs 10.1 and 10.13; and

d.    take all other necessary steps in relation to the implementation of the CPO and in relation to the Council's obligations under the ILTA.