Building work to create a huge Amazon van park on the border of Croydon and Sutton can start after no archaeological artefacts were found on the site.

The retail giant’s plans for a van storage facility were approved in October 2021  pending further ground checks.

After getting the green light, buildings on the site of the old National Driving Centre, on the corner of Marlowe Way and Beddington Farm Road, will be demolished.

In its application, Amazon said there would be space to store up to 117 vans and include office space, showers and toilets for employees.

Drivers will travel to the site to collect a van before heading to the distribution centre.

It said: “[The facility] is required to facilitate and improve the efficiency of the existing distribution centre operation, located at Queensway, Croydon, approximately 1.6km to the South of the site, whilst rejuvenating/developing a currently ad-hoc site into a secure area within the estate and establishing a long term use.”

But, before any work could take place an archaeological investigation and report had to be carried out. 

This is because it falls within an area “well known for Bronze Age activity”.

Previously Neolithic cooking pits as well as a fragment of pottery from the period were discovered between Purley Way and Beddington Farm Road.

While Bronze Age pottery, flint artefacts and a possible burial trench, were found just 75 metres to the east of the site.

Archaeological works took place between February and July this year which did not find evidence of late Bronze Age or prehistoric activity.

The written report was approved by Sutton Council last week, meaning work can now start on the site.

A previous application from Amazon was withdrawn at the last minute after objections from Transport for London over the number of extra vehicles the development would attract.

TfL did not object to the latest plans but said employees should be “encouraged to travel sustainably” to the site.