The council’s director of planning, regeneration and conservation is leaving her job.

Emma Peters, who has been working in Croydon since 2008, has accepted a position with consultancy firm RegenFirst from May.

During her time with Croydon, Miss Peters set up a series of linked masterplans covering the centre of the borough.

This has led to new infrastructure schemes like the new East Croydon bridge and station entrance.

Chief executive Jon Rouse, said: "Emma has given Croydon a sharp regeneration focus and has left the town well-positioned to take advantage of the post-recession recovery.

"Croydon has benefited from her particular expertise and although we are disappointed to be losing her, we fully recognise that she wants to continue specialising in this distinct and rewarding area of work. We wish her well in her new role."

Miss Peters said: "Croydon has been a tremendously challenging experience and I’m hugely proud of what we’ve achieved in a short time, aligning delivery of regeneration projects with a long term strategy.

"Croydon has a genuinely exciting future as a result of that work."

Before joining Croydon in 2008, Miss Peters had assisted with the launch of the Homes and Communities Agency.

A town planner by profession, she also served for four years as corporate director of development and renewal at Tower Hamlets and had previously risen to become head of planning and development at Lewisham where she worked for nine years.

Her local government career also involved spells with Waltham Forest and Newham.