DERELICT buildings have been knocked down in Purley to make way for a £20 million development which is set to "change the face of the town".

Last Friday, two properties in Brighton Road were torn down in what marks the final stage of a demolition programme run by Purley Baptist Church.

TEAR IT DOWN: John Foster in front of the knocked down buildings Photo: CRNA20100806A_09 by Neale Atkinson
DEMOLITION MAN: John Foster in front of the knocked down buildings
Photo: CRNA20100806A_11 by Neale Atkinson
DEMOLISHED: The buildings are knocked down
Photo: CRNA20100806A_10 by Neale Atkinson

The buildings were a house and the Swayam Ruchi Indian restaurant, which was purchased last April after three years of negotiations.

Parishioners and ministers of the church, on Banstead Road, want to build a six-storey building comprising a church, flats and sports facility on the triangle of land between Russell Hill Road, Foxley Lane and Banstead Road.

But although demolition work is moving quickly the church, which has set up a company called 58:12 to run the project, said planning red tape could slow the project down.

Its secretary John Foster explained that outline planning permission for a six-storey building – granted three years ago – had lapsed and they were waiting for the council to renew it.

But he added: "We are absolutely confident this project will go ahead.

"We are waiting on the council to agree to these outline plans, which are exactly the same as before."

Mr Foster said that the final design of the development is still being worked on, as it must be a "landmark" building.

"It will definitely change the face of the town," he added.