The number of flats set to be built on the site next to Fairfield Halls has nearly doubled.

As part of a revamp of the College Green area around the venue, which itself is undergoing a £30m makeover, five blocks of 425 flat could be built.

Brick by Brick, the Croydon Council owned developer, brought initial plans to the council’s planning committee on Thursday (February 28).

Originally, plans were for 218 homes which would have taken in Croydon College’s existing buildings, and would have included a new campus for the college.

But the college decided against developing a new campus and sold off part of its land holding to a private house builder Stonegate Homes.

The initial plans were part of a hybrid planning application for what was known as the Fairfield Masterplan.

At the meeting Cllr Jason Perry was concerned that the new development would mean there was a loss of open space in the town centre.

He said: “Things have changed but there is a loss of open space which doesn’t seem to be provided.”

In the scheme, open space would  be provided as as part of a new public realm area and route to the north of the site, including new steps and pedestrian link to Hazeldean Bridge.

But there would be a 165sqm loss of open space, which was 1,730sqm.

Cllr Perry was reassured by a representative of the scheme who said: “We acknowledge that there is minor loss of open space but we think that the open space has been provided.

“It will be available for anyone – We think it is going to be a great space that people will actually use, before it seemed like a bit of a dead space.

A subsidy from the redevelopment on the site is expected to go towards Fairfield Halls.

Head of construction at Brick by Brick Suzi Lane said initial estimates of how much money will go back from the scheme to Fairfield Halls is about £35m.

Cllr Paul Scott praised the emerging plans for providing so many homes.

He said: “I think it is a good scheme delivering 400 homes on what is a difficult site.

“This whole are is looking to be transformed and somebody has to be the first.

“I think one of the key things is getting direct access to the station.”

What exactly does the pre-application include? 

The initial plans for the development includes five blocks between four and 29 storeys tall.

The make-up of the flats is still let to be decided but it is expected about 40% of the flats will be of two-three bedrooms.

It is expected 20% of the flats will be affordable homes, all offered as shared ownership.

It includes a 750sqm courtyard for residents would include a play area.

There is a space at the bottom of one of the blocks that would be used by the NHS to provide a new health centre, with negotiations currently underway with Croydon CCG.

As this was a pre-application the committee did not need to make a decision on the plans.

The applicant will take their comments on board before coming back with a final planning application.