Privately-owned, northeast property development company, Premcor Estates (Premcor), which operates nationally with large scale industrial developments currently underway in Nottingham and Rossington near Doncaster, has now submitted a planning application for a sustainable mixed-use development to revitalise a gateway site into Croydon.
The proposed regeneration of the Woburn and Bedford Court site would feature 445 residential units in four buildings - 156 of which will be affordable - with an area of some 1,772 sqm GIA for flexible commercial/community use at ground floor level.
Aside from delivering affordable homes for local people, it is envisaged that the scheme will act as a catalyst for regeneration in the nearby Wellesley Road area, establishing new pedestrian links and significantly improving the quantity and quality of public realm within and around the site.
The masterplan for the new scheme was established at the early stage of design and responds to the planned growth of residential, commercial and mixed-use development in the Croydon Opportunity Area. It will strengthen the northern gateway into Croydon town centre and improve connectivity between Tavistock and Wellesley Road.
Homes will be built across four buildings of one, two and three-bedroom apartments: block one will be 26 storeys high; block two, built above the commercial and community space will be a further 29 storeys, block three, 13 storeys and block four will be four to seven storeys in height.
Commenting on the scheme, Premcor director, Rob Lane, said: “This is a significant inner-city regeneration scheme and it has taken four years to reach the planning submission stage. We have invested an immense amount of time and thought into creating a masterplan which we see as being able to deliver the optimum residential, commercial and community benefit for the Croydon community.
“Our vision is to create a safe and sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood that revitalises Woburn and Bedford Court and Wellesley Road. In the wider context, the redevelopment of the site aims to deliver a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood that promotes local employment, supports small to medium-sized enterprises and serves as a community hub which is currently lacking in the neighbourhood.”
Planning consultant for the scheme is Rapleys. James Owens, partner and head of planning at Rapleys London office, commented: “Currently, the Woburn Court and Bedford Court site comprises a total of eighty units distributed across eight blocks, each ranging from three to four storeys in height. Built in 1964, they fall far short of current standards and regulations.
“With the current amenity space consisting of flat grass areas, scattered trees, concrete pavers and tarmac, an upgrade rather than a total rebuild has been deemed neither practical nor commercially viable.
“Placemaking lies at the heart of this proposal and with approval, this scheme will be able to significantly improve the quality of life and opportunity for local people, as well as breathing new life into what is now a run-down site - the current 1960s development layout results in a fragmented public realm, which has led to misuse of its spaces and as a consequence, the estate has been plagued by antisocial behaviour over the years.”
To ensure a strong sense of community, the ground floor commercial/community space provides an anchor for a new living and working community. Its central pocket garden will include play space, trees and shrubs and form the heart of the development.
A car-free development except for fourteen accessible car parking spaces and one car club space, the proposals feature space for 811 long-stay cycle parking bays for residents, plus additional spaces for visitors and commercial/community use.
Rob added: “This is a fantastic regeneration opportunity, and I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate our design and development consultants for their collective endeavours thus far. We are keen to receive determination of our planning application so that we can move to the pre-construction phase as soon as possible.”
Other members of the design team include EPR Architects, Churchman Thornhill Finch – landscape architect and Montagu Evans - heritage and townscape consultant.
