A sports and entertainment arena will be the heart of a £400m development for south London.
A 12,500-seater arena is to be the centrepiece of the Croydon Gateway site, next to East Croydon station.
The development will create 3,400 jobs
The venue will be able to host events from ice hockey and basketball to rock concerts and aims to be the UK's main venue for Paralympic events.
The development, which could open in 2008, will also include 800 homes, shops, restaurants, a plaza and cafes.
Developers say the project will bring 3,400 jobs to the area.
Croydon Council leader Hugh Malyan said the development would "not only bring back into use an area that is currently wasted, it will bring jobs, sport, music and a real sense of excitement to Croydon town centre."
He added the council was keen to see the site, "at one of London's most important transport hubs" developed as soon as possible.
Part of the site is owned by the council but the rest is subject to a compulsory purchase order.
A plaza will link the station to the town centre
If that order is successful then construction will begin in 2005.
Developers Arrowcroft and StadiVarios have signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the British Paralympic Association.
This establishes the arena as a prime UK venue for regional, national and international Paralympic events.
They say the site is "strategically important" as a gateway to Croydon and will help regenerate the town centre.
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Can we have a stadium please?
A 12,500-seater arena is to be the centrepiece of the Croydon Gateway site, next to East Croydon station.

The development will create 3,400 jobs
The venue will be able to host events from ice hockey and basketball to rock concerts and aims to be the UK's main venue for Paralympic events.
The development, which could open in 2008, will also include 800 homes, shops, restaurants, a plaza and cafes.
Developers say the project will bring 3,400 jobs to the area.
Croydon Council leader Hugh Malyan said the development would "not only bring back into use an area that is currently wasted, it will bring jobs, sport, music and a real sense of excitement to Croydon town centre."
He added the council was keen to see the site, "at one of London's most important transport hubs" developed as soon as possible.
Part of the site is owned by the council but the rest is subject to a compulsory purchase order.

A plaza will link the station to the town centre
If that order is successful then construction will begin in 2005.
Developers Arrowcroft and StadiVarios have signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the British Paralympic Association.
This establishes the arena as a prime UK venue for regional, national and international Paralympic events.
They say the site is "strategically important" as a gateway to Croydon and will help regenerate the town centre.
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Can we have a stadium please?