By Harrison Galliven

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A quiet corner of Croydon is set to receive £20 million over the next decade as part of a government initiative to support some of the country’s most “overlooked” communities.

Residents of New Addington North are now being asked to decide how the money should be spent.

Many locals view the government’s Pride in Place funding as a long-overdue chance to tackle persistent problems.

During a visit to New Addington, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to residents about the areas most in need of support.

Kirsty Pearce, a member of the voluntary group New Addington Pathfinders, said the ward has suffered from years of underinvestment, leaving parts of the community feeling “run-down”.

“I think some of the funding should go towards improving the Wayside shopping area with better lighting and upgraded CCTV,” she told the LDRS. “There have been gang issues there, so improved lighting and surveillance are really needed.”

She added that Croydon’s Play Place youth facility, located nearby, also requires better lighting to protect the young children who regularly pass through.

Security is a key concern for many. Richard Salami, who has lived in the area for ten years, said: “I think the money should be spent on more security on the high street, as shoplifting happens a lot around here. That’s what we need most.”

The closure of the local police station was another common worry, with residents lamenting the lack of a visible police presence. One resident of 30 years said: “You’d definitely like to see a police presence, especially with all this shoplifting. It gives people confidence.”

Many believe ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour are partly driven by a lack of activities and support for young people.

Earlier this year, cuts to Croydon Council’s Youth Engagement Team and the closure of New Addington Boxing Club’s Central Parade site dealt a major blow to local children and families.

Others note that Fieldway, as the area is also known, lacks amenities for those without access to a car. Many must travel to neighbouring high streets for everyday shopping, and there are few inviting public spaces to gather.

Jen Paxton, who grew up in the neighbourhood, told the LDRS: “If my friend asked if I wanted to go there for a cup of tea, I’d decline. It’s a place people leave, not a destination.”

Resident Dave Jones added: “In New Addington we have barbers, fast-food outlets, vape shops and more barbers. The last thing we need is another betting shop.”

Despite these concerns, residents are quick to praise the area’s green spaces, the forthcoming diagnostics centre and the convenient Tramlink connection.

However, at the time of writing, the New Addington branch of the Tramlink is out of service due to an extended power failure.

The Pride in Place fund aims to improve local services and public spaces that have been neglected for years. New Addington North and Harold Hill in Havering are the only London communities among 339 across the country to receive funding.

Ministers have described the programme as the largest transfer of power from Whitehall to local communities in history. Projects can include park upgrades, youth clubs, bringing empty buildings back into use, saving pubs and libraries, or blocking unwanted gambling and vape shops.

Residents will be invited to submit ideas and volunteer for a local board to oversee projects. Croydon East MP Natasha Irons said: “I’m delighted to have secured this investment for our community and look forward to seeing local people take control of how it’s spent. This is our chance to build on the work of grassroots organisations and continue to improve New Addington in ways that matter to the community.”

Housing and Communities Secretary Steve Reed added: “Yes, communities have been stretched – but they haven’t given up. The Government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster.”

Pearce welcomed the investment but stressed the need for clarity. “Any money is good money,” she said, adding that she wanted to know whether the funding is ring-fenced, or if a change of government could see it rescinded.

Neighbouring New Addington South has recently benefited from UK Shared Prosperity Funding, which has helped improve Central Parade Market Square and the Octagon building, which houses Pathfinders.

Residents hope the new funding will finally enable the north of the area to catch up, addressing long-standing issues such as safety, youth provision and local amenities.

A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “The £20m government funding for New Addington North, and £1.5m for the borough, is hugely welcomed by the council. It will directly benefit our residents and their communities and supports Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to restore pride in Croydon.

“We have already been making improvements to our district centres through our UK Shared Prosperity Funding programme, including New Addington. The Pride of Place funding will build on this work, such as by refurbishing community buildings, improving green spaces and investing in high street areas.

“It remains our priority to keep our young people safe and well – including in New Addington North. We made changes to our youth engagement service earlier this year to maximise help and support for the young people who need it most and in the most effective way. No cuts were made as a result of the changes.

“We have an excellent network of community partners and work closely with them to support Croydon’s young people. In New Addington, we work with groups such as Play Place.

“They work in the area to provide activities for young people to keep them safe, and talk to them about any issues or concerns they might have and offer guidance.

“We also recently allocated £25,000 of funding for youth activities in New Addington, from Violence Reduction Network funding. We have allocated nearly £100,000 of funding for community safety in New Addington since 2023”