Labour's Croydon Mayoral Candidate Proposes Council Housebuilding Revival
Labour's mayoral candidate for Croydon, Rowenna Davis, has announced she would seriously consider reviving council-led housebuilding if elected in May 2026. This marks a potential shift toward "invest to save" strategies to address Croydon's escalating temporary accommodation emergency, despite the borough's troubled history with the controversial Brick by Brick initiative.
Learning from Past Mistakes
In an exclusive interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Davis emphasized that her support for council-led housebuilding would not repeat the errors of previous Labour administrations. "We have to keep these options open," she stated firmly, acknowledging the need for fiscal responsibility while addressing housing needs.
Croydon's previous venture into council-led housebuilding through its arm's-length company, Brick by Brick, became mired in controversy. The former Labour administration loaned the company over £200 million, but expected dividends and interest payments never materialized. This financial strain contributed significantly to the council's decision to issue a Section 114 bankruptcy notice in 2020.
A New Approach to Housing
Davis, who was not part of the previous Labour administration, argued: "We are throwing money out of the window on temporary accommodation, so it's much better to have an asset and to get some income from it." However, she stressed the importance of preserving Croydon's neighborhood character, stating that past administrations "have not fully appreciated the beauty, history and character of some of Croydon's neighborhoods."
The Waddon ward councillor revealed her immediate plan to introduce a Land Commission to unlock stalled development on brownfield sites across Croydon. "We need to look at all the vacant, derelict, rotting sites across Croydon," she explained. "We need to map them and have plans for how each of them could be put into use."
Addressing Stalled Development
Davis confirmed she would consider using Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) as a "last resort" to unlock stalled regeneration projects, including the long-vacant St George's Walk site opposite the Whitgift Centre. The current Conservative administration has dismissed this approach as "economic illiteracy on steroids," warning it could saddle the council with costs running into hundreds of millions.
Despite this criticism, Davis revealed she is in talks with several potential developers interested in taking on the St George's Walk site from its current owner. Taking aim at her main rival, Conservative Mayor Jason Perry, she declared: "This town deserves a mayor who will use every single legal power possible to turn those dead sites around and bring in the shops, homes and workplaces that we really need."
Crime and Community Safety
Following a recent fatal incident in her Waddon ward, Davis emphasized that a central aim of her campaign is to shift Croydon's defining narrative away from crime. "People do feel afraid to go out after dark," she acknowledged. "It's a real tax on freedom, especially for women who feel they need to get a cab home from 4.30 when it's starting to get a bit dark."
The former teacher pledged to lobby for more police officers in Croydon, criticizing current "abstraction" measures that share Croydon's police with neighboring Bromley and Sutton. She believes her relationship with Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan positions her well to advocate for the borough's needs.
Putting People First
Davis has adopted "Putting People First" as her campaign slogan, criticizing what she sees as the current council's self-serving approach. She pointed to a recent scrutiny meeting where no public responses had been submitted on the council's budget as evidence of poor community engagement.
To improve relations between the council and residents, Davis proposed that staff should spend one day a week working in the community. "Why aren't they at soup kitchens, food banks, schools?" she questioned. She also suggested initiatives like a Croydon Marathon and an aviation festival to bring visitors and income to the area.
Breaking with Labour's Past
Davis has actively distanced herself from Croydon Labour's legacy, which many residents blame for contributing to the council's £1.4 billion debt burden. After winning the candidacy last year, she delivered a clear message to Labour councillors: "You have to understand that Croydon Labour has to change. If you are defending some of the decisions made under the Newman administration, you are not welcome here."
Thirteen Labour councillors are stepping down in May, to be replaced by what Davis describes as a "diverse, young group of people" that better reflects Croydon's population.
Conservative Response
When approached for comment, Mayor Jason Perry responded: "Croydon residents have short memories for spin, but long memories for bankruptcy. When I was elected, this council had gone bankrupt under Labour after years of reckless borrowing and failed commercial gambles."
Perry highlighted his administration's achievements, including stabilized finances, £1.2 billion of inward investment, and improved neighborhood standards. He challenged Davis to present a "fully costed alternative budget" and explain how she would fund a £200 million compulsory purchase proposal without risking financial crisis.
The local and Croydon Mayoral elections will take place on May 7, 2026, with housing policy and fiscal responsibility emerging as key battleground issues.
