The Purley Pool project is set to enhance the town centre, offering affordable homes while addressing parking issues raised by locals.
Croydon: So, there’s this big talk about the Purley Pool project. It’s been in the works for a while, and they’ve made some changes to the plans. The idea is to bring in more affordable homes while also building a new leisure centre. Sounds good, right?
Last week, the council shared that Polaska, the company behind the project, has come up with new proposals. They listened to what people had to say during public exhibitions and made adjustments based on that feedback.
The new plan includes 220 homes, with 10% of them being affordable. That’s about 18 homes, which is a step in the right direction, but some folks still think it’s not enough. Plus, they’re adding a public car park with 50 spaces, which is a big change from the original plan that had zero parking.
Now, parking has been a hot topic. Many locals are worried about losing the central multi-storey car park, which has over 400 spaces. They think it could hurt shopping in the area. But some residents are actually excited about the new direction, feeling it prioritizes the community over cars.
James Hillam, the chair of the Purley and Woodcote Residents Association, mentioned that while some people are resistant to change, many are on board with the new plans. He believes the project could really help revitalize a part of Purley High Street that’s been struggling.
There’s also been a lot of chatter about the lack of affordable housing in the original plans. The Greater London Authority wants at least half of new homes to be affordable, so the new proposal still raises some eyebrows. But Hillam thinks even 10% is a start for those who need it.
Mayor Jason Perry is all in on this project. He’s been pushing for a new swimming pool since his election and wants to make sure the development fits the character of Purley. He’s committed to keeping the community in the loop as things progress.
While the plans are moving forward, it’s been a slow process. There’s still a lot of work to do before construction can start, but Hillam is optimistic. He believes it’s better to take the time to get it right than to rush through it.
They’ve even tweaked the design to fit better with the local heritage. The focus is shifting from retail to leisure, which Hillam thinks will draw people in and boost shopping as a result. The revised plans are open for public comments until February 2025, so there’s still a chance for everyone to weigh in.
