Future plans: the Selsdon Park Hotel is undergoing a £30m refurbishment, with the hope of re-opening as an ‘affordable’ 4-star hotel in ‘summer 2027’
Planning consent for the £30million refurbishment project for the Selsdon Park Hotel has been rubber-stamped by Croydon Council.
What is little more than administrative approval by the planning authority – works have been underway at the locally listed hotel since Inside Croydon first reported the purchase by Leeds-based BH Group more than three months ago – has inevitably been claimed as some kind of great achievement by Croydon’s failed Mayor, Jason Perry, desperate as ever to take credit for the work of others.
The main building was built as a country residence, Selsdon House, in 1819. It is 100 years since Selsdon Park opened as a hotel, and the building is in need of some updating, modernisation and investment. The new owners have already flogged off much of the more “on-trend” furniture installed during the Birch era, as it is not in keeping with the country house look they seek to create.
A new heating system and double glazing in what were often draughty bedrooms are on the list of works to be carried out. There’s a £6.5million budget for the new heating works alone.
Perry’s council has made no efforts to have any part of the heritage building listed, through Historic England and the DCMS, which would provide greater protections for the original, Georgian parts of the building.
The previous hipster haven of “Birch Selsdon” at the venue suffered financial collapse in 2023. Funnily enough, not long after part-time Perry and his family had enjoyed a freebie meal in one of the venue’s high-end restaurants.
Inside Croydon was first to report that the property had been acquired from the liquidators in March, originally with a target re-opening date of June next year (this has now slipped to the less precise “summer 2027”).
More than 150 jobs are to be created at the venue perched in the rolling North Downs, as the new owners seek to create a leading country house hotel resort.
“The approved scheme focuses on restoring windows, including stained glass and decorative leaded windows. This will preserve its historic features, enhance energy efficiency and help safeguard the future of the building,” Croydon Council announced this week.
“The plans mark the start of a wider programme of works, which would include the refurbishment of the hotel, including the gym and tennis courts, and creating new spa and wellness facilities, padel courts, staff accommodation and vehicular and pedestrian access to the site,” the council said.
“Improvements will also be made to the landscape and biodiversity across the 200 acres of historic parkland.”
Excited: Mayor Jason Perry can’t wait to try out the new rides in the ‘wellness centre’
This refers to the former golf course, which Birch closed when they took over the property in 2022, as part of their £15million “renovation”, which created a £200 per room per night members’ club, where sky-high joining fees and subscription charges only served to exclude the wider public from visiting its two bars and three restaurants.
The golf course and parkland had previously a popular location for ramblers and walkers. The site is currently closed to the public. There are no plans to revive the golf course.
“The applicant’s planning submission states that the proposals align with the Croydon Local Plan vision for Selsdon, which recognises the hotel as an important source of local employment and economic activity,” the council says. This ought to rule out the persistent rumour that there is some intention to build housing on the parkland, which is in the Green Belt.
“I am delighted to see this £30million restoration project progressing,” Perry chuntered.
“It is a significant investment in Selsdon that will protect the future of this historic estate, create new jobs, support local businesses and strengthen Croydon’s visitor economy.” All of which is absolutely nothing to do with Mayor Perry, and very little to do with his mismanaged, dysfunctional council.
The new owners have told local residents’ associations that they want the Selsdon Park to be an “affordable” four-star hotel with 176 rooms (a handful fewer than the 181 on offer under the previous owners), where locals will be able to use the bars and restaurants without any hefty membership subscriptions.
Read more: Selsdon Park Hotel’s new owners hope to re-open by June 2027
Read more: Administrators move in to run Selsdon’s ‘shabby chic’ hotel
Read more: Lots of reservations after Selsdon hotel and golf course close
Read more: Get orf moy laaand! Posh hotel declares parkland a no-go zone
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2026, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for an EIGHTH time in nine years, in Private Eye magazine’s annual round-up of civic cock-ups
- Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
