Highlights
The Arora Group (“Arora” or the “Group”) in coordination with Crawley Borough Council is pleased to announce that outline planning permission for the high-quality development on the site of the Overline House office building and Crawley railway station has been granted.[i]
The scheme promises to transform the Crawley gateway area into an attractive, inviting and safe environment, truly reflecting the town’s opportunities as a place to live and work.
This step follows extensive consultation with multiple parties including the Southgate Residents Association, Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council Highways and open dialogue with the Arora Group’s fundamental partner, Network Rail. The plans include a new, modern station building with a completely new station entrance, ticket hall, footbridges and multi-storey car park. The development will also have a coffee shop, retail kiosk and a small start-up business hub, all designed to support Crawley Borough Council’s ambition to create a network of business hubs and enable small and start-up enterprises in the town.
Alongside the transformative benefits the development will bring, the Arora Group are also making significant financial contributions that will fund enhancement of local sports pitches, play areas in Memorial Gardens and/or Southgate, and local allotments . There will also be an educational contribution, which will provide for primary, secondary and sixth form school improvements.
Modernising Station Gateway to make it compatible with 21st century use, including living and working, is highlighted in the Town Centre Regeneration Programme which can be seen online at www.regeneratingcrawley.org.uk. The site is also specified in Crawley’s Local Plan and allocated for residential / mixed use development.
Surinder Arora, Founder and Chairman of the Arora Group said:
“The Arora Group has been part of the community in Crawley for over a decade, providing employment for local residents at the Arora Hotel Gatwick Crawley. With this important next step in the process achieved, we are fully committed to this complex development and look forward to working with all involved, including Network Rail, as we work towards improving the town for everyone.”
Councillor Peter Smith, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, said:
“This is a fundamental part of the town; it’s a gateway into Crawley and as such, the first and last impression people get when they travel by train. At the moment it’s very much giving the wrong impression; it’s grey, tired and dominated by a dual carriageway."
“I’m so happy these plans have been given the green light as it will make such a huge difference to the town centre - helping to create an environment which is modern, attractive and safe, providing good links from the station to the town centre, particularly for people walking, riding bikes and catching public transport. This application is also a great example of the council working with the private sector to encourage the right kind of regeneration.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
FTI Consulting
Adam Cubbage 0203 727 1000
Eleanor Purdon
For Crawley Borough Council, please contact:
Stacia Baldock 01293 438399
Arora Group
The Arora Group is a successful UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage. Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth.
For more information please visit www.thearoragroup.com
[i] Outline Planning permission has been agreed, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 planning agreement, to secure the payment of financial contributions for public infrastructure and to carry out off-site public realm / highway improvements.
