Croydon Council has approved plans to overhaul College Green, the underused space between Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, marking a significant milestone in the town centre's regeneration.

Consent paves the way for a high‑quality public green space featuring areas for play, relaxation and informal gathering. The redesigned park will create a greener, more welcoming and accessible route connecting the cultural and educational landmarks, improving the experience for people moving through this key part of the town centre.

The site forms part of the historic Fair Field, once home to the Walnut Fair – later known as Croydon Fair – which ran for centuries until the 1860s. The project aims to restore the area’s role as a place to meet and enjoy, rekindling community pride.

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The council appointed a team led by MICA Architects to develop the proposals, drawing on extensive engagement with residents. Feedback from a public exhibition, online survey, workshops with Croydon College students and discussions with community groups informed the final approved design.

The scheme supports Executive Mayor Jason Perry's commitment to revitalise central Croydon as part of the Mayor’s Town Centre Regeneration Programme. It sits alongside improvements progressing at Minster Green and Surrey Street, as well as recent investment in the new Wellesley Road crossing and public realm upgrades to George Street and Dingwall Road.

"The approval of planning permission for College Green is a major moment for Croydon. This transformation will turn a long‑underused space into a vibrant, high‑quality green destination that people can enjoy, helping to make the town centre greener, more welcoming and better connected.

"College Green sits at the heart of Croydon's history. Once home to the famous Walnut Fair, it has always been a place where people came together. These plans will breathe new energy into the site, restoring it as a focal point for community life and a place residents can be proud of once again.

"This project is part of a wider programme of regeneration already taking shape across the town centre. We are investing in Croydon, and residents can already see the difference. It is an exciting time for our borough and I'm looking forward to seeing College Green play its part in Croydon's next chapter."

Image: MICA Architects