Croydon Council could make a step towards planning permission for another three tower blocks in East Croydon next week.

The biggest tower block could reach the height of 41 storeys and will fill a long-vacant site in the heart of what has been described as Croydon’s ‘Cultural Quarter’.

The plans, from Delta Properties, will go to Croydon Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday (November 7).

The proposals, which have been through many iterations, could see three separate tower blocks built on the currently derelict site between Croydon College and the refurbished Fairfield Halls on Park Lane.

The development, which is being called Tapestry, would sit behind Fairfield Gardens, currently a building site surrounded by hoardings.

It has been a long-held ambition of the council to create a ‘cultural quarter’ in this area.

Fairfield Halls, which will abut the proposed development, cost the council £67 million to refurbish, more than double the original budget of £30 million.

The plans will require the clearance and reinstatement of the existing deck covering the site.

The three distinct structures will range in height, with the northern block standing at 41 storeys; the southern block at 28 storeys; and the western block, at 14 to 15 storeys.

Croydon’s tallest building, the Enclave in East Croydon, stands at 50 storeys.

In addition to these towers, a two-storey podium will connect the buildings.

A total of 674 flats will be made available for rent, with a commitment to include affordable housing.

It is so far unclear what portion of the flats will be deemed affordable, although more information is expected at next Thursday’s meeting.

Croydon Council aims to secure 50 per cent affordable housing provision for all new large developments but has recently failed to achieve this figure.

The plans also make space for 694 square meters of retail space, divided across three ground-floor units.

Moreover, the plans include a significant boost to local healthcare facilities, featuring a primary care facility for the NHS and a nursery on the mezzanine level.

A key aspect of the development is the creation of Hazledean Walk, a new public space on the northern side of the site.

This area, developers say, will improve connectivity, linking College Green to Hazledean Bridge and providing an accessible pedestrian route from College Tower to College Road and East Croydon Station.

Improvement works to Hazledean Bridge are also included in the proposals, including new stepped access and lift facilities.

Tapestry could also feature with the introduction of Arnhem Gardens, named after Croydon’s twin town in The Netherlands.

The semi-public landscaped courtyard will provide green space in what is largely a concrete landscape.

The plans include cycle storage and parking spaces for blue badge holders, residents and visitors to the NHS service.

The planning report, published on the council’s website on Thursday (October 31), states that councillors should focus on three ‘crucial’ areas when deciding what steps to take at next week’s meeting.

These include:

  • “The site layout, with a clear and legible public route to Hazledean Walk with
    the Western block fronting College Green, and a semi-private courtyard
    space.”
  •  “The principle of tall buildings in this location, and the amount and distribution
    of scale/bulk/height across the site, as well as the impacts upon surrounding
    designated and non-designated heritage assets (weighing these against the
    public benefits proposed).”
  • “The design approach and elevational treatment, with a particular focus on the
    Northern and Southern blocks given the Western block is subject to further
    architectural refinement.”