A video showing what the Croydon Partnership's new shopping centre could look like has been released by the developers.

Westfield and Hammerson's £1bn transformation of Croydon's town centre was given the go-ahead by the council's planning committee last night, who unanimously voted in favour of the plans.

The two-minute shows artist's impressions of the scheme and of the entrances along Wellesley Road and North End.

The clip also shows a proposed 24-hour pedestrian walkway through the new centre and four residential towers that are part of the scheme.

The redevelopment will create 5,000 new permanent jobs, 300 shops and between 400 and 600 new homes, in addition to restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and a bowling alley.

John Burton, Westfield's director of development said: "This is a significant step forward in our plans for the redevelopment of Croydon's retail town centre and importantly will create 5,000 new local jobs.

"We believe out proposed £1bn investment into the transformation of Croydon's shopping and leisure offer has the potential to act as a major catalyst for the wider physical and social regeneration of the town."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson will consider the application tomorrow and the scheme will then be referred to the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles.

Peter Cole, chief investment officer of Hammerson, added: "Our scheme will re-establish Croydon as the retail destination of South London which will attract further investment and development.

"Our goal is to deliver a world-class retail and leisure destination to attract new visitors to the town and ensure Croydon regains its status as a thriving town centre.

"Last night’s decision brings that vision one step closer to reality."

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