Plans for a new 25-storey block of flats in Croydon town centre have been given the green light, replacing the Citiscape block.

In 2019, Barratt Homes uncovered structural concerns, and residents were moved out while work took place. Two years later, Barratt bought back all 95 homes at market value and made the decision to redevelop the building to partially fund the buyback costs.

On Thursday, Croydon’s planning committee approved plans for the 11-storey building to be torn down to make way for two blocks of 144 flats, the tallest of which will be 25 storeys.

Instead of the existing two basement parking levels for 72 cars, there will be four blue badge spaces and 250 cycle spaces for residents.

Overall, 22 of the 144 flats will be offered at affordable rent or as shared ownership, accounting to 16 per cent of affordable housing.

The plans include communal roof terraces and a courtyard at the centre of the development. This includes seating areas and play spaces.

Barratt Homes’s planning statement said: “We have demonstrated that the development responds directly to this opportunity by creating new market and affordable homes and new public realm improvements on a highly-sustainable brownfield site.

“The proposals would fulfil policy aspirations to create a new high-quality development in Croydon Metropolitan Centre.”