Westfield bosses met with a Croydon MP earlier this week to assure her the long-awaited development will go ahead, despite being put under review.

Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon Central, spoke to representatives from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and property company Hammerson, who revealed in February that the project was being put under review due to uncertainty around the implications of Brexit.

Plans for the £1.4 billion shopping centre first surfaced in 2013 and construction has been delayed ever since, with the most recent forecast suggesting work could begin next year.

Despite the latest hold-up, Jones says the meeting has left her feeling confident that commitment to the project remains strong.

"We know that they’re having a look at the scheme, and having a review, but what I heard today very loud and clear was that they remain absolutely committed to Croydon, which is really good," she said.

"They just need to make sure they’ve got the right fit of shops and other offers in the centre of town because we know that the nature of retail is changing and we know there is a lot of economic uncertainty but they remain absolutely committed.

"I spoke with the Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday who’s very keen to meet with Westfield to talk about some of the challenges they are facing and whether the government can help in some way.

"So although we all regret that this is taking longer than it should, it’s very much still on track, it’s something that I believe is going to happen, and I’m going to keep talking to these companies to make sure we get the best for Croydon that we possibly can.”

As well as more than 300 shops, restaurants and cafes, development plans include up to 967 new homes.

Traders in the Whitgift Centre, which is to be entirely demolished, are yet to be told when they will have to leave.

In December, French company Unibail-Rodamco bought Westfield Corporation for £18.5 billion.