Legal and General Property says public supports housing plan for former Nestle building
OVERWHELMING public support for its plans to turn the former Nestlé headquarters into housing is being claimed by Legal & General Property.
The company's claim for a 90 per cent positive response from people taking part in its public consultation on the scheme came as it submitted its formal planning application to Croydon Council.
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How Legal & General's housing plans for St George's House will fit in with the street scene
The proposals will see the conversion of the building to provide 288 new homes with community and retail provision on the ground floor.
To add interest and variety to the skyline, the building will have a "stepping" effect to vary the height of the three tower blocks it will contain.
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In addition aluminum panelling will be used to improve the appearance of the building and all apartments will have balconies and access to rooftop garden space.
Legal & General says its aim is to rejuvenate the building and provide sophisticated living and retail space in a key location for commuters, families and young professionals.
Charlie Walker, director at Legal & General, said: "Since first unveiling our plans and engaging in public consultation, we have worked hard, together with our architects and planning team, to ensure that the finalised proposals best meet the needs of the town centre.
"Through these carefully designed plans, we believe that we can give this building an exciting new lease of life and play our part in the wider regeneration of Croydon town centre."
Simon Wilkes, head of business space development at Legal & General Property, added: "The proposals for St George's House are designed to bring much needed high-quality residential accommodation to the centre of Croydon.
"The investment will also see a significant improvement in the public realm to create a more accessible and attractive civic space for residents and visitors to enjoy."
The council is hoping to make a decision on the application in March next year.
Comments
by the3rdbone
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 4:05PM
“another high rise full of non British !”
by croydonx
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 3:48PM
“Aluminium panelling? with a design life of what a couple of decades tops and no doubt beginning to look pretty shoddy in less than 10 with minimal maintenance. Are some mid-range durable construction materials really going to break the bank once the cost is divided 288 ways?
IF housing at this location is getting the go-ahead the last thing croydon needs long term is an ultra high density building done on the cheap promenantly blighting its main commercial area.
I'm sure all those balconies littered with laundry, bicycles and day-glow kiddies toys promenantly on display will do wonders for the towns image.”
by Chris_Wilcox
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 12:57PM
“That actually looks quite nice. Much better than the Mental Tower. However...
Croydon simply does not need more overpriced flats. It needs affordable housing to help struggling locals. And some of these new flats will need to go to the Housing Charities/ Associations to help with demand from the ill & infirm there.
I do hope Croydon Council takes this into account when they make their decision.”
by swsquires1
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 12:33PM
“To be honest I can't see what this will offer to central Croydon other than yet more flats (overpriced I would guess). Legal & General just want to get rid of the building so converting to flats is the quickest and most cost effective way to rid themselves of the building.
Based on previous new build apartments they will likely price above the level that anyone working locally will be able to afford, so they will be looking for commuters. If I was considering moving to Croydon I would not be interested in a building overlooking Park Lane (busy road) or St Georges Walk (run down former shopping district).
All that I can see this offering is a short walk to East Croydon or the hope that when the Whitgift Shopping Centre gets rebuilt (forgot about the years of noise and dust from that...) the value could increase.
Lets be honest though, L&G want rid of the building and as they have lost Nestle the easy answer as always is flats. I expect another development that is half empty a year after completion (and prices at 250k+ to start). Avoid.”