Firm acquires land in Croydon at former Purley Way Lido

Bellway is drawing up plans to build a 168-home scheme in Croydon with a historic grade II-listed diving board at its centre.

The housebuilder’s London arm has acquired a plot of land at the former site of the Purley Way Lido, a public baths built in 1935 next to the former Croydon Aerodrome, London’s first airport.

The art-deco Lido was replaced in 1981 by the Wyevale Garden Centre and the pool filled in, but the diving board survived intact and was given listed status in 2013.

Bellway is currently consulting with Croydon Borough Council and the Greater London Authority to finalise their application for the scheme, which will include the diving board as its centrepiece.

Bellway Purley Way

An artist’s sketch of how the scheme could look when built

It will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments for both private sale and affordable rent, as well as 6,000sq ft of commercial space for up to five retail or office units.

An estimated £2.5m in local community and infrastructure and section 106 contributions will also be paid as part of the deal.

Bellway’s south London regional director Daniel Bradbury said the firm was “honoured to be able to deliver new housing on a site with so much recognisable history”.

He added that the firm is expecting to start on site later this year with the first homes completed by 2022.

Bellway London completed the 96-home IKON development in Croydon in 2020.