The “Stepping Stone” project in Central Parade will work with young people from the area to generate and test their ideas for the future regeneration of the area.

New Addington is Croydon’s unofficial new town, situated to the east of Borough at the edge of the green belt. The development was started by the First National Housing Trust in 1935, and continued by the Council until completion in 1963.

In October 2005, Tesco was appointed as preferred bidder to deliver new Council facilities, housing, a health centre, business opportunities centre, and food store. The regeneration plans were stopped when a local resident made a successful application for a patchwork of green spaces on Central Parade, including parts of the proposed development site, to be designated as a Village Green under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

The Village Green decision has divided local opinion, and sparked a widespread debate about the future of the area. The Council now intends to go back to the drawing board to develop a scheme together with the local community incorporating a Village Green.

London Borough of Croydon together with Design for London will appoint consultants to design, lead and deliver a series of project workshops that engage young people in the area. The Central Parade in New Addington receives support from the Mayor's Great Spaces Initiative.