When Labour closed Purley Pool in 2020, our community lost more than a swimming facility - we lost a place that brought families together and supported healthy, active lives. From the moment I became Mayor, I made a clear commitment: we would bring a pool back to the heart of Purley.
Today, I’m pleased to share that we have taken another important step towards making that happen.
Earlier this year, Croydon’s Planning Committee approved Polaska’s proposals for the redevelopment of the site: a brand-new leisure centre with a 25-metre, six-lane pool, a training pool, an 80-station gym, studios, a café, soft play, and a wider regeneration programme for the High Street. The plans also include a new public square, improved pedestrian links from Whytecliffe Road South to the High Street, 180 later-living homes (10% of them affordable), and increased public parking following feedback from residents.
Since that decision, we have been working closely with Polaska to finalise the Section 106 agreement - the legal commitments that ensure the scheme delivers real benefits for the local community.
Today’s Progress
I can confirm that the application has now been formally referred to the Greater London Authority for its Stage 2 planning review, which is the next required step before final approval. This referral follows productive progress over the last two weeks to complete the S106 agreement.
This is exactly the journey residents were promised:
- secure planning approval locally,
- strengthen the scheme through consultation,
- complete the legal agreements, and
- move the application to the GLA for sign-off.
What This Means for Purley and the South of the Borough
It means the project is moving forward with real momentum.
It means the detailed work behind the scenes is paying off.
And it means Purley Pool is firmly on its way back.
Restoring this facility is part of my wider drive to make Croydon cleaner, safer and healthier, and to bring confidence and investment back into our district centres. Purley deserves a leisure centre it can be proud of - and we are delivering it.
I will continue to keep residents updated as the GLA progresses its review.
We are now closer than ever to seeing Purley Pool return — just as I promised.
