Victory roll: the proposed cultural hub, to the rear of the M&S Foodhall, as imagined by developers Grove Property, including a WWII RAF fighter in the top left of the image. As well as a bit of inconsiderate pavement parking (bottom left)
Proposals for a Marks and Spencer Foodhall, together with flexible space for studios and offices, to be built on the site of a former dairy on a busy main road outside Purley, received 96% approval from residents in a recent consultation, the developers claim.
And Grove Property has now submitted its formal planning application to Croydon Council – complete with a flypast from what looks like a Battle of Britain era Spitfire.
Throughout the summer, Grove undertook consultation with residents and the wider community on their proposal for a M&S Foodhall and what they call “a Cultural and Creative Hub” on the site of the former Milk and More Depot on Brighton Road.
They say that the overwhelming majority of the 470 responses that they received supported the proposals.
Grove Property hope to start construction on site in 2024.
It is not known whether, in the planned new M&S, complete with “a fantastic new Bakery offering fresh daily-baked breads and pastries” one of the products on offer might be a Victory Roll…
But judging by the new CGIs issued by the developers, that’s what a Battle of Britain pilot might have just performed, as their computer-generated images shows a WWII fighter aircraft in the top left-hand corner, possibly navigating their way back to base at RAF Croydon or RAF Kenley… It is an unusual nod to the area’s history and heritage.
Grove claims that if their planning application is approved, as well as the new Marks and Sparks – with a foodhall similar to the one recently opened on the Purley Way – and the studios and offices, it will deliver:
- Up to 149 new jobs
- The regeneration of neglected and vacant buildings
- The retention and refurbishment of the buildings fronting Brighton Road
- A 70-space car park
Grove Property says that they have refined the proposal, “Following extensive pre-application consultation with Croydon Council… to bring the scheme forward on the basis of a more design-led and heritage-focused approach.”
Revitalised: how the old dairy will look if the M&S plans get the green light from Croydon planners
Nick Snashall, from Grove Property, said: “We are delighted to have submitted a planning application to deliver this exciting proposal for a site which is currently vacant with derelict buildings. This investment will regenerate the area, create jobs and bring a new shopping experience to Purley.
“The plans would also deliver a new Cultural and Creative Enterprise Hub providing flexible studio and workshop space to support local creative businesses.
“It has been great to see the widespread support for our plans throughout the local community, and moving forward we are committed to keeping local residents informed on the progress of this exciting project.”
Marks and Spencer have confirmed their backing for the proposals, with a spokesperson saying, “We’re hoping to open a brand new, fresh market-style M&S Foodhall in Purley, offering local customers a wide range of M&S Food products, including displays of great quality, trusted value produce from M&S Select Farms, and a fantastic new M&S Bakery offering fresh daily-baked breads and pastries.”
And those Victory rolls…
If you would like to find out more about our plans and to register your support, please visit our dedicated engagement website www.brightonroad.co.uk.
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I heard Al Murray will be presiding over the opening ceremony.
Will he drive in in a Churchill tank?
Hard to object to this – looks like a win-win for Purley. But the Spitfire thing doesn’t make any sense to me. Unless, as you suggest they are promoting Victory Rolls, or Victory V’s, or the well-known Shepherd Neame tipple.
I live in Purley and am looking forward to the M&S food hall being located there. I suspect that it’s too far for most to walk too so understand the objections earlier from local residents in the immediate area however if it saves me a journey along the Purley Way then good!
It maybe that I’m just a bit of a simpleton and too old to appreciate more up to date advertising but a Spitfire? It’s not a Battle of Britain machine because as anoraks like me understand the image is of a much later mark with cannons and a tail plane that’s much later. Relevance? We’re 70+ years on and it’s a food hall not a military installation! There will be some who will look and go. ‘oh, how patriotic’, but more are likely to go ‘what the hell is that all about?’
Please don’t treat all of us as non thinking individuals who don’t get a bit of manipulation. An M&S food hall is a real bonus here. Stick with the positives of that, lest the audience think you’re trying to,pull,the wool over their eyes.
When will this get built? been ages now. I want to start shopping there ASAP!