Croydon Council has lodged a planning application to transform College Green into a greener, inclusive public space featuring play areas and picnic spots.
Funded by the Croydon Growth Zone, the scheme will revive the land linking Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, creating a large multi‑use park and meeting place, and providing a pleasant, accessible route between East Croydon Station and the town centre.
The proposals support Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to regenerate the town centre, making it more welcoming and accessible for people who live and work in the borough, as well as visitors.
Public engagement included a six‑day exhibition at Croydon College in October, a borough‑wide survey, a student workshop and direct conversations with local community groups.
Around 88% of respondents said they strongly or very strongly agreed with the plans; 2% disagreed with providing a public space at College Green, while 10% were neutral.
Following feedback, the designs were refined to boost greening, safety and inclusivity — including planting more trees and wildflowers near Fairfield Halls, and making the Young Play area and the Multi‑Use Games Area more accessible and inviting.
MICA Architects were appointed by the council to develop the proposals, which build on the wider Fairfield Masterplan. The submitted application will now be reviewed by the Local Planning Authority.
College Green is one of ten town centre projects championed by Mayor Perry to improve connectivity, greenery and public spaces, while celebrating Croydon’s rich history. Fair Field — home to College Green and Fairfield Halls — historically hosted The Walnut Fair, or October Fair, from the late Middle Ages until the 1860s, when it became known as Croydon Fair.
Elsewhere in the town centre, improvements to Minster Green and Surrey Street are under way, alongside an intensive clean‑up and upgrades at North End. The new Wellesley Road crossing was completed at the end of last year to better connect East Croydon to the town centre, complemented by public realm updates to George Street and Dingwall Road.
“We have received a really positive response as part of our engagement on the designs for College Green – thank you to everyone who got involved. I’m delighted we have reached the next stage in this process in transforming this historic site into a green and vibrant park for the whole community, as part of the regeneration of our town centre,” said Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon.
The project is funded through Croydon’s Growth Zone, a business rate uplift retention funding mechanism that delivers infrastructure and regeneration in the town centre. Growth Zone projects are delivered by the council with support from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL).
Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
