The owners of the controversial Croydon Gateway site are changing its name to Ruskin Square.

Stanhope and Schroders, who own the derelict plot next to East Croydon station, made the announcement shortly before the start a public inquiry to decide if it or a rival developer gets to build a 12,500-seat arena on the site.

Stanhope wants to build homes, offices, restaurants, a park and a new 200-seat Warehouse Theatre instead.

Despite having planning permission to develop the land, it is locked in a bitter battle with Arrowcroft.

David Camp, Stanhope's chief executive, said: "We thought long and hard about naming our scheme and feel that Ruskin Square was the perfect answer.

"Ruskin died in 1900 but his ideas live on. He was a passionate believer in the power of architecture to make a difference to the quality of people's lives and we think that our development, with its emphasis on space to live and play, as well as work, will help that happen for the people of Croydon."

Ruskin, a social commentator and philanthropist, already has several links to Croydon. His parents were born in the borough, they are buried at St John's in Shirley, he visited the town throughout his life, dedicating the first chapter of his autobiography to "The Springs of Wandel", and there is already a college and trade union meeting house named after him.