Croydon Council has agreed the funding for a 250,000 sq ft public service delivery hub, which is the first phase of its regeneration joint venture with John Laing.

The building, which is due to complete in spring 2013, will be the first tangible result of a joint venture between John Laing and the council, called Croydon Council Urban Regeneration Vehicle. The deal, which was agreed in 2008 and is set to end in 2033, aims to implement the Croydon town masterplan.

The new hub will provide space for the council and other public agencies in the borough, and is to be built by Sir Robert McAlpine.

Councillor Simon Hoar, Croydon Council’s cabinet member for regeneration & economic development, said:  “The public service delivery hub will be Croydon’s base for local services for local people, providing a one-stop-shop for council services.

“With construction now underway, it signals a step-change for the local economy, driving local employment and learning opportunities across the borough.  We are delighted this partnership is now delivering real improvements to the people of Croydon.”

Jamie Kerr, director of education & regeneration at John Laing, said: “The public service delivery hub is the first project for CCURV and marks the start of significant regeneration across Croydon.

“Through the delivery of the first Urban Regeneration Vehicle, we are paving the way for this mutually-beneficial form of public private partnership to be used more widely.”

In November 2008, John Laing and Croydon Council formed a partnership to deliver the first Local Asset Backed Vehicle (LABV).  The deal involves using an asset backed Urban Regeneration Vehicle into which Croydon Council invests land and John Laing equity.

• Birmingham approves shared services hub
• Funding squeeze to stall north’s regeneration
• Rochdale hires McAlpine to replace “Black Box”
• Northwest agrees on “Atlantic Gateway” plan
• Government to slash HCA funding by £230m