A LONG-AWAITED start on a 750-home town centre development is expected in the next few weeks.

The announcement from Berkeley Homes comes as the developer has submitted new plans for the scheme which envisage some internal alterations to the housing floors.

It also follows agreement from Croydon Council's strategic planning committee that some changes can be made to the timescale for delivering affordable homes as part of the overall development.

Berkeley Homes is providing some affordable housing in the development, but a larger amount of its required quota is being built off site in other locations around the borough.

The council's decision means the phasing of this off-site work has been changed, making it easier for Berkeley to start on the main project.

Planning permission for the development was granted in 2007 and involves building a 44-storey tower and other smaller housing blocks on the site of the now-demolished Randolph and Pembroke House office blocks in Wellesley Road, Croydon.

It will contain 755 flats and 2,080 square metres of commercial space, a mix of offices and shops.

Since the demolition of the buildings, no work has taken place. Last year Berkeley said it was on hold because of the difficulties of selling new homes.

But with signs of a recovery, a spokesman said this week: "Berkeley Homes is delighted to confirm its intention to commence works on its Saffron Square project in mid-August."