Multimillion pound plans have been announced to transform Sutton town centre into one of the greenest shopping districts in London.

A public consultation will start tomorrow on proposals to develop the high street into a model of sustainable urban living within 15 years.

The vision involves creating distinct town quarters which would give Sutton an identity to rival nearby centres such as Croydon and Kingston.

An urban village would form in Zurich Square, Manor Park expand and a hub of cafes and leisure facilities emerge from a new civic square.

There will also be more office space bringing 2,000 jobs to the area and altered road systems giving pedestrians and cyclists priority.

Councillor Lyn Gleeson, executive member for planning, said: “The summer regeneration of the high street will give the town centre a much needed lift in these difficult times and really put Sutton on the map as a shopping and entertainment centre.

“We are now looking long-term at how we can make the town centre one of most vibrant and attractive in south London but also one that is environmentally friendly.

“The plans set out a vision of how this could be achieved and we now want as many local people as possible to help shape the future of the town centre.”

Alistair Cruickshank, chairman of Sutton Environment Network, expressed doubts about the action plan at an earlier consultation stage.

He said: “Our main difficulty with this paper is that it appears to be obsessive about the need to maintain Sutton's status as a metropolitan centre and to compete with Croydon and Kingston.

"We consider this is wrong-headed.”

An exhibition is running at Sutton library from April 29 and at St Nicholas shopping centre between May 7 and 9, with two public workshops scheduled at the civic offices for May 11 and 15.

For more information call 020 8770 6453 or go to sutton.gov.uk/suttontowncentreaap.

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