Whitgift shopping centre in development dispute

The future of the Whitgift shopping centre in

Croydon is currently in a dispute between Westfield and Hammerson, that could end with one of the rivals being taken out by a compulsory purchase order.

The south London town has become an unlikely battleground for two of the world’s biggest property developers because its transport links and proximity to central London mean it is seen as an ideal location for the UK’s next super-mall.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Westfield’s director of development, John Burton, said the company was “ready to spend £1bn on the site”, adding: “We have the balance sheet, the people and the ideas. I hope reality prevails.”