Hammerson steps up Croydon battle with Westfield "We are absolutely committed to the delivery of our plans for Croydon, and we are confident that the development of the Whitgift Quarter will play a key role in the regeneration of the town," he said. Hammerson also owns the Centrale centre adjacent to the Whitgift Centre, and has put a proposed scheme encompassing both centres out to a public consultation before submitting a planning application by the end of this month. Westfield, the Australian developer which has opened Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City within the past four years, is the development partner of the Whitgift Foundation, which owns the freehold and 25pc of the leasehold for the shopping centre. However, Hammerson has a rival agreement with RLAM and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation - majority owners of the leashold - who were reportedly unhappy with the way the Foundation approached the deal. yers