Brick by Brick doubles resi plans at College Green and Fairfield

Brick by Brick has doubled the number of homes planned in the first phase of its £180m redevelopment at College Green and Fairfield. Croydon’s arms length development company has proposed an increase to 425 apartments, to help generate income for the development, after it lost out on college annexe land which was included in the original masterplan. Brick by Brick was previously in discussions with Croydon College to acquire this land, but it was sold to housebuilder Stonegate Homes. The development sits within the Cultural Quarter redevelopment, which previously sought to deliver 2,000 homes, alongside retail, office and leisure space. With the college no longer part of the plans, Brick by Brick will not be able to deliver the full 2,000 homes and is seeking to increase the scheme’s viability. The development vehicle has subsequently gone back to the drawing board and revised the plans to increase the residential density. Council documents ahead of a new development presentation from Brick by Brick said the increase of units responds to emerging high-density developments coming forward in the Opportunity Area. Plans would supersede previous consent for 218 homes, granted in February 2017. It proposes an increase in the maximum height to 29 storeys, up from 21 storeys. Croydon Council gave consent to Tide Construction’s 546-home BTR scheme across two towers of 38 and 44 storeys at Essex House. This followed approvals for 220 flats at Mondial House in towers of up to 35 storeys, and 159 flats in buildings of up to 38 storeys. Brick by Brick’s previous detailed plans for phase one allowed for 15% affordable housing (33 units), or 18% by habitable room, to be provided under shared ownership tenure. The low level of affordable housing, against a target of 50%, was justified in exchange for the support to the cultural development at Fairfield Halls. However, with work already underway, the documents said “more resources have been expended than first anticipated, to deal with unforeseen issues and to ensure the delivery of a high-quality venue and cultural offer”. The proposals would see a large increase of private market homes, with the affordable split rising to just 20% by habitable room, to be provided as intermediate affordable homes. But council documents point out: “The applicant has advised that despite the increased number of units, the scheme continues to be challenged.” Brick by Brick will present the resi development proposals at the planning committee on 28 February, where councillors will provide feedback on the overall scheme and its affordable housing approach. Colm Lacey, Brick by Brick’s chief executive, said: “Brick by Brick has been working up a revised planning application for College Green to optimise the number of homes on this hugely important site in central Croydon. “This became possible after Croydon College changed its plans for a new college campus to be developed as part of the scheme, meaning we were able to rethink the masterplan for the site with a greater focus on housing. This is great news for Croydon as it will allow for more high-quality homes of various types, including more family homes. “We are currently on site, having carried out extensive demolition and enabling works, and look forward to developing this fantastic new quarter for Croydon.” The scheme required extensive demolition and enabling works, which are on schedule, with no delay to construction. The neighbouring Fairfield Halls revamp, the first phase of the overall scheme, is due to complete later this year. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette