DOCUMENTS relating to Croydon Council's ownership of Lion Green Road do not say that the land must be used only for the community.
The records appear to dampen local speculation to that effect, which has emerged amid a row over its potential use for a supermarket development.
The land is owned by the council which uses it as a public car park but wants to turn it into a Waitrose supermarket, drawing complaints over potential traffic and loss of parking. Several local residents have since claimed the council might not be allowed to do so, due to conditions placed on the land's use. Documents from the Land Registry show Croydon Council bought the 3.2 acres from the Secretary of State for Social Services in 1970.
The conveyance on the £8,330 transaction shows requirements on the council to put up chain-link fencing and other practicalities, but makes no mention of its use.
Nor are there any references to such a use in the title documents, also available through the Land Registry.
A spokesman for Croydon Council said the authority had leased the land for "a period of time" before the 1970 sale.
He added: "The land was acquired under the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations Act, 1967. The Secretary of State did not impose any restrictive covenants limiting the future use of the land.
"Any future dealings of the car park will be by virtue of the provisions of s. 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 or similar authority."
Records suggest the previous owner as far back as 1878 was a J. Tucker.
Roger Packham, from local history group the Bourne Society, said the J. Tucker was most likely local farmer Joseph Tucker.
The plans for a supermarket and health centre in the car park, with parking underneath, have yet to be decided upon – although a target date was set for October.
