Thousands of angry locals are calling on Croydon Council to halt the sale of a historic park keeper’s lodge.

Residents gathered in Grangewood Park on Saturday to protest the move by the authority.

The sale of Heath Lodge comes as the council works to save money as t. It is one of a series of properties that are being sold off by the authority.

It is set to be auctioned off by Savills on behalf of the council on Wednesday (March 2) with a guide price of £310,000.

A petition to “save” the building started by the Friends of Grangewood Park group has now been signed by more than 5,000 people.

In January 2020 the council was forced to back down from a planned sale of the lodge after strong opposition from local people.

A crowd of more than 50 people gathered at the park in protest of the decision and angry the building was back on the market without locals being consulted first. 

Some want to see the lodge turned into a youth centre, wildlife centre or café instead.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Grangewood Park group said: “This community asset would serve its residents so they feel part of their environment, offer a sense of belonging, support mental well-being and an active lifestyle with the ability to serve local families whilst supporting the maintenance of the park.”

They want to see the sale halted until at least May to give them a chance to set up a management board to come up with plans for the lodge.

Peter Underwood from the Croydon Green Party, who is standing as a mayoral candidate in May’s elections, attended the protest.

He said: “Croydon Council keep telling us that they want to work more closely with the wonderful volunteers who help look after our parks.

"But here they are selling off Heath Lodge and part of the park without even talking to the local community.

"The sale has to be stopped to allow local people the chance to put forward their plans to bring this building back to life.”

The council made the decision to sell off Heath Lodge in October 2021, a council report at the time said it would put conditions in place to stop the site being redeveloped and kept as one home.

The report read:  “Alternative uses have been considered by the council but these have proved not to be financially viable.

“Although local community groups have previously expressed an interest in retaining the asset for community use, these discussions have not progressed and the property has continued to deteriorate and attract antisocial behaviour.”

Croydon Council was contacted for comment.