#croydon-council

#croydon-council

PA A major hurdle has been cleared in Crystal Palace's long-planned redevelopment of Selhurst Park with the completion of the purchase of six houses next to the stadium. The properties on Wooderson Close, a road south of the ground, will be prepared for demolition after the residents were rehoused. Croydon Council mayor Jason Perry welcomed the housing sales, saying the money raised would fund new replacement council homes.

Daniela Sponder, whose five-year-old son Luca has a speech delay, said even his school's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) coordinator was "blindsided" by the decision. Ms Sponder added: "She was mortified that she hadn't been made aware by the council. "The SEND coordinator is our go-to person." Another parent, Amy Jones, was also taken by surprise to find her eight-year-old son Harry's SALT had been abruptly cut, despite being a legal entitlement under his EHCP.

"The decision, described as penny-pinching by local councillors, prioritises budget cuts over the safety of our children, affecting six school sites across Croydon."