SUPERMARKET giant Tesco says it hopes to open a store in the heart of New Addington now the way has been cleared to redevelop the area.
Croydon Council agreed on Monday to reject a bid that would have stopped any development in Central Parade by classifying a section of it as a village green.
The authority says its plans to regenerate the estate are now "back on track" and it can push ahead with proposals for a new leisure centre, supermarket and "improved community facilities".
A Tesco spokesman said on Wednesday: "We would be interested to look at the council's renewed plan for the site and hopefully work with them to deliver an exciting scheme for New Addington."
Resident Michael Fuller, who made the village-green bid, said he would appeal the council's decision, made by the corporate services committee on Monday.
The council says it received 165 letters from local residents objection to the application, and 14 in support, but added it was decided on its own merit and "without reference to any planning proposals in respect of the land".
New Addington councillor Tony Pearson said he was "really pleased" the council had rejected the bid, adding that as many as three supermarkets had expressed interest in the site.
He said: "What we will be looking at now is to make sure we have got partners on board to take the development ahead.
"We want to have a sympathetic development which gives us a supermarket but still complements our district centre and the independent shops."
Tesco was the only supermarket to confirm its interest to the Advertiser. Lidl and Aldi both confirmed they were not interested.
A spokesman for Morrisons said it did not comment on plans ahead of a planning application. Sainsbury's had not responded by the time we went to press.
Tesco first agreed to take over green space on Central Parade in 2008, but the deal fell through when Mr Fuller and other residents got that land classed as a village green. The latest application was to extend the green.
Ken Burgess, chairman of the Central Parade Business Partnership, said Central Parade would "die on its feet" without redevelopment.
He added: "Extending the village green would have put the kybosh on any redevelopment of Central Parade, which includes the swimming pool and the sports centre. We need additional shopping but we also need all the other facilities."
Councillor Jason Perry, cabinet member for planning, regeneration and transport, said: "We will now play catch-up to get the regeneration of New Addington back on track."
