The concerns reflect why Croydon Minster’s forecourt is now set for major redevelopment, which will see the historic church given “the frontage it deserves.”
The scheme will focus on the hard landscaping directly in front of the Grade I listed church, introducing new planting, public art, and improved pedestrian routes.
The council’s placemaking regeneration team has unveiled its final plans to the public, and the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the exhibition yesterday, which runs until Saturday 29 November, to see how the space will be transformed.
Perry, no relation to Croydon’s Executive Mayor, told the LDRS that the project faces a number of challenges.
A central element of the work will be the infilling of the 1960s subway, which has now closed to the public.
The subway was described by Perry as a product of a period “when engineers went bananas.”
The structure has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour and rough sleeping, making its removal a priority for the project team.
“We are going to get that subway closed and fill it in,” he said, noting the entrance was already fenced off during the LDRS visit. Once complete, the team will move on to improving the forecourt and installing a safer pedestrian crossing onto St John’s Road across Roman Way.
Further complexities include burial remains beneath the ground, some of which date back to the Saxon period.
Perry stated: “It is a really old site that predates the Domesday Book, so every layer we go down puts us at a bigger risk of disturbing a burial ground. You can do as many surveys as you want, but it is always a bit of an unknown.”
The team must also safely remove the ageing subway infrastructure while preserving access to the Minster. Existing parking in front of the Minster will remain to ensure access.
The culverted River Wandle, buried below the site, presents another challenge. “We really want to celebrate it, but to unearth it here would mean you have no public realm left,” Perry said.
Instead, the scheme includes a sound funnel intended to evoke the river’s presence. Perry said the team decided to “take a bit of creative licence and provide the sound of water.”
To deter antisocial behaviour, the design will incorporate new lighting intended to make the area feel safer after dark. Perry said investment in the space could encourage more people to spend time there.
A council-owned building opposite the Minster may be considered for a café in the future, although this is separate from the current scheme. The Minster Green project sits within the historic Old Town Masterplan area.
“It’s exciting times,” Perry told the LDRS. “What these projects are about is bringing to light how fantastic all these places are. Croydon is about a lot more than this modern 60s/70s architecture.”
“It is all about connecting the town’s necklace of pearls,” he added.
The project has also been carefully designed to both reflect and honour the church’s rich historical significance. A fleur-de-lis motif taken from the Minster’s interior will feature in the new steel totem artwork.
The new planting around the site will include wildflowers and a sustainable drainage bed to help manage longstanding flooding issues. Lowered boundary walls and new Pin Oak trees will also aim to improve visibility and soften the space.
Perry said the council intends to monitor and maintain the space on an ongoing basis. He added that work is planned to begin before next year’s mayoral election, although he could not comment on decisions beyond that point.
The wider project first began in 2018 but experienced significant delays during the pandemic. As a result, some elements of the original designs were scaled back due to cost and viability pressures.
Large green areas on either side of the Minster will remain unchanged due to past budget constraints. Earlier ideas for a play area or lower-key improvements have therefore been dropped.
At the exhibition, some visitors expressed disappointment that the project does not extend to the grassy areas surrounding the Minster. They said they had believed the redevelopment would be larger in scale; however, Perry defended the areas as already having good mature tree coverage.
The council says the scheme has been designed so that additional improvements can be added in the future if further funding becomes available. Key engagement events in 2019 and 2023 involved over 200 participants. The council’s Placemaking team has led the scheme, ensuring the design reflects community priorities.
Consultation has included councillors, the Executive Mayor, the Croydon Design Review Panel, the Mid Croydon Conservation Area Advisory Panel, local residents, businesses, and groups such as Croydon Mobility Forum, Croydon Minster, the Diocese of Southwark, the Parochial Church Council, and Croydon Drop In.
The redevelopment is funded entirely through the Croydon Growth Zone in partnership with the Greater London Authority. This ring-fenced funding mechanism uses retained business rates for long-term investment in public improvements and does not draw from Croydon’s main capital budget.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry said the redevelopment marked an important moment for the Old Town area. “We are very proud and fortunate to have such a historic church as Croydon Minster in our borough.”
“This project aims to celebrate and protect the Minster, creating a safer, more accessible and pleasant green space, so that everyone can enjoy this local landmark,” he said. “I am delighted that we will be able to deliver these improvements by next summer.”
Construction will begin this winter, with completion expected in summer 2026. Full details of the plans can be found here.
