Plans for 500 flat block which would ‘destroy the townscape’ of Croydon rejected

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

A block of more than 500 flats has been rejected by Croydon council after fears it would impact on the town’s iconic 50p building.

One local councillor said the building which is officially called Number One Croydon is as important as St Paul’s Cathedral is to the City of London.

Plans to knock down City Link House in Addiscombe Road to make way for a 28-storey tower were rejected by the council last week.

The plans were submitted by Wittington Investments Limited and Fifth State in July 2021.

The developer wanted to build a part 14, part 28-storey building of 498 co-living flats and 84 flats.

To address concerns about the loss of office space, the applicant said it would include 3,500 sq ft of space that could be used by local businesses and community organisations, as well as a separate cafe and co-working space.

The plans included three car parking spaces for blue badge holders as well as 483 cycle parking spaces.

The plans were recommended for approval by the council’s planners but councillors on the planning committee rejected the plans.

Councillor for Addiscombe West Sean Fitzsimons spoke against the plans at a meeting last week.

He said: “This is student-style accommodation for professionals. Is this what we are going to offer ‘generation rent’?”

And he was seriously concerned about the potential impact on Number One Croydon, previously known as the NLA Tower.

It was built in 1970 by Richard Seifert and Partners, which designed more than 500 office blocks across Europe.

Cllr Fitzsimons said: “It is one of our most iconic buildings of the last 50 years and it is a recognisable landmark, visible from all quarters of Croydon.

“The proposed building at 92 feet threatens all this, especially as it would loom over the 81-metre NLA Tower,

“For those coming into East Croydon Station, the site of the Number One announces arrival in the town centre. This building will destroy the townscape and the visual look of Seifert’s tower.

“The NLA Tower is as important to Croydon as St Paul’s Cathedral is to the City of London, we must protect it from over-development. We need to protect the best of the 1960s.”

At the same meeting, Sam Hine, who spoke on behalf of the applicant, said more than two years was spent consulting with the council and residents on the scheme.

He said: “The result is a development that provides housing to meet local housing needs including 84 affordable units, designed with the help of Thames Valley Housing Association, and has on-site children’s play.

“[And] shared living units that have communal spaces on every floor, offering a community-led, all inclusive, sustainably managed living product, targeted at key workers and young working professionals.”

Mr Hine said the development was designed to complement the 50p building.

The committee voted to refuse the plans based on its height and impact on the iconic tower.

The applicant now has three months to lodge an appeal on the decision.