RADICALLY changed redevelopment plans for what would become Croydon's tallest building received their first public airing yesterday (Thursday).
Developer Guildhouse-Rosepride revealed pre-planning application proposals for their Lansdowne Road development at a meeting of the council's strategic planning committee.
The company now wants to build a wholly residential development, comprising 900 homes with a 57-storey tower as its centrepiece.
The tower would be 203.5 meters high - just 24 meters shorter than the famous One Canada Square building in Canary Wharf.
In pushing for the change, the company has abandoned much of the scheme for which it was granted planning permission at the beginning of 2012.
The approved scheme had a 55-storey housing tower and overall included nearly 400 flats, 13 floors of offices, a 217-bedroom four-star hotel and a health club.
The offices and hotel have now disappeared from the plans.
David Hudson, chief executive of Guildhouse, told the Advertiser this week: "This is one of the most important regeneration sites in Croydon."
Mr Hudson said there was little doubt that when the Westfield/Hammerson redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre was completed there would be "a massive demand" for offices.
But at this time, he claimed, nobody will fund speculative new office buildings.
Guildhouse-Rosepride believe it is important to keep regeneration rolling and Mr Hudson said if planning permission is eventually granted work could start next year, with completion in 2018.
Mr Hudson said: "When people see our scheme and Westfield/Hammerson's happening they will see Croydon as it is going to be and there will be a whole new dynamic to the town."
The council planning officers' report presented to the committee last night showed the housing provided in two blocks; one of 57-storeys and one of 35-storeys.
They would be made up of 164 studio flats; 348 one bedroom flats; 305 two bedroom flats; 72 three bedroom flats and 11 penthouses.
The basement area would contain a fitness centre and pool and the ground floor a "flexible commercial space." The main tower is at the back of the development while the 35-storey tower will front Wellesley Road.
Any comments made by councillors this week will be considered by the developers when they come to draw up a formal planning application.
Mr Hudson said he was hopeful the future application would receive council approval.
He added: "Officers have been supportive. They like the design."
