We, the undersigned, call on Croydon Council to halt the sale of Heathfield House and meaningfully engage with the community to ensure its future remains in public hands.

A Historic and Publicly Owned Asset Under Threat

Heathfield House, a Grade II listed manor house set within landscaped gardens in Addington Hills, came into ownership by the people of Croydon in 1964 from local art collector Raymond Riesco. 

Croydon Council has now listed the building for sale under Savills stating it has 'significant opportunities for redevelopment'.
[EDIT: Savill's listing now removed - sales brochure archived here and  listing archived here]

This is despite legal protections restricting its use to non-commercial purposes, no meaningful engagement happening with the community, and a Freedom of Information response in December 2024 stating future uses of the building would 'include the building remaining in public ownership and continued public access' and that 'Once the Council has defined possible options then consultation will take place'.

Why This Sale Must Be Stopped

• A Publicly-Owned Space with Legal Protections
  Heathfield House was intended for the benefit of the borough by Riesco and is protected by a covenant restricting its use. Any sale of this site raises serious legal and ethical concerns, and sets a dangerous precedent for public, historic and green spaces in the borough.
• Central government has stated that within Exceptional Financial Support packages, which includes Croydon's bailout;
  'expectations have been set out to protect treasured community assets, culture and identity, with councils using capitalisation instructed not to dispose of community and heritage assets'.  
  
  
• A Misuse of Public Assets
  Rather than exploring sustainable community-led options, the council has engaged in a pattern of exclusion and dishonesty, choosing opaque processes and private interests over public benefit. Rather than recognising Heathfield as the gem in its crown, Croydon Council has treated it like a thorn in its side. Croydon Council have;
• Ignored Heathfield's cultural and historic significance whilst parading Croydon's 'Borough of Culture' status and failed to ever meaningfully entertain its use for public benefit.
• Allowed it to fall into neglect, leaving it vacant, unsecured, and damaged for years. By late 2023 it was severely vandalized, forcing the council to spend public funds on 24/7 security.
• Declined to rent the building in Autumn 2023 despite marketing it for rent and bids on the open market.
• Ignored and dismissed community bids to put the building into use, to the point where one has even had to turn down successful Architectural Heritage funding to revitalise the building and keep it in public ownership.
  
  
• A Space That Could Serve the Community
  Community groups have demonstrated how Heathfield House could be used for public benefit, yet have been ignored despite precedent at locations like Beckenham Place Mansion. Community groups now stand little chance against the open market. 

We Demand Transparency and Action

We urge Croydon Council to:

1. ✅ Immediately halt any form of sale of Heathfield House.

2. ✅ Initiate immediate and long overdue talks with the community and heritage experts about community use and/or purchase. Croydon Council should be looking at alternative funding solutions , including grants and partnerships (which have already been shown to be viable) to restore and protect the house for public benefit.

3. ✅ Immediately disclose full details of all processes and decision making related to Heathfield House, and clarify the legality of the sale under covenant.

Croydon’s history, heritage, and community spaces are being eroded under the guise of financial necessity. We must not allow yet another public asset to be lost to private interests.

Sign the petition now to keep Heathfield House in public hands!