Croydon planners have approved a 113-apartment scheme brought forward in joint venture by Guildhouse and Rosepride at Cairo Place, off Cairo New Road.
The committee voted overwhelming in favour of the proposals for studios, one two and three bedroom apartments and a unit for food and drink or community use.
The accommodation includes more than 15 per cent affordable housing, placing an emphasis on three bedroom family accommodation, each with direct access at street level.
Councillors welcomed the positive community benefits offered by the project including a new public piazza, a new pedestrian route through the site towards Wandle Park, and upgraded landscaping around the locally listed former Salvation Army Hall. Members also commented on the positive regenerative effect that the project will have on Croydon Old Town.
David Hudson, chief executive of Guildhouse UK said: “The planning committee and officers have worked closely and collaboratively with our design team to produce a high quality design, sympathetic to local heritage assets and reflecting the palate of materials that exist in the conservation area.”
The New Life Christian Centre, owners of the adjoining site, welcomed the prospect of redevelopment but had objected to the application as it sought to bring forward its own proposals on the combined site.
However, the council said the Cairo Place scheme would not prejudice redevelopment of NLCC’s site and Guildhouse Rosepride are proposing to assist their neighbouring organisation to bring forward their scheme.
Mark Waterstone, managing director of Rosepride, added: "The Greater London Authority report on the scheme was extremely positive and commended the high quality architectural response.
"It is extremely rewarding for David and me,who are both passionate about Croydon’s regeneration, that we can now bring forward this exciting development as a significant contribution to the hitherto under-considered but important part of Croydon.”
S Williams designed the plans for Cairo Prace with MRA as planning consultants. Brinson Staniland Partnership are ME engineers, Wardell Armstrong structural engineers, Spacehub Design landscape architects, Vectos transport consultants and Day an Johnson quantity surveyors.
Guildhouse and Rosepride’s joint venture is planning to bring forward two more applications in the new year – for an iconic tower at One Landsdowne Road and for regeneration of the historic Pump House and Exchange Square.