In the town centre, Grosvenor PLC has been appointed to lead a £500 million regeneration project with plans for a John Lewis department store, 88,250 sq metres of retail space, 700 homes, office accommodation and a new town hall.
Working with Crawley Council and English Partnerships, this flagship scheme typifies our approach that ‘joined-up work’ is more than just a concept, and partners – public, private and community – are together delivering real change.
Other developments include the 35,000 sq ft ‘Pavilion’ development in the town’s main square. A ‘leisure park’ offers a 15-screen cinema, bowling alley, sports club and eateries. Add to that the £1.2 million redevelopment of the High Street and the town’s evening and night-time economy has been firmly established.
The University of Sussex has expressed strong interest in establishing a unique, business-led, campus here by 2010, which will bring a range of benefits and raise the aspirations of young people.
Ageing secondary schools have been replaced in an £80 million PFI. Crawley’s new leisure centre, K2, boasts an Olympic size swimming pool and it has been built around the same principles as the London 2012 Olympic bid – inclusivity, social outcomes and the future of our young people. It is also a potential Olympic training camp! All eyes are on the opening in November and beyond to the London Games in 2012.
Sizeable residential development sites and high-density schemes are being brought forward across the town, contributing much needed housing to the local area. Affordable housing is ensured through innovative and ambitious policies and programmes.
Investment of some £2.5 billion over the next 10 years is planned for Crawley by private, public and community organisations. This includes developments at the newly formed Centre Sussex FE College, in two neighbourhood centres, into primary, acute and mental healthcare services and a new library.
Michael Coughlin, Chief Executive, Crawley Borough Council
