For the second time it will be up to a planning inspector to decide whether what has been dubbed the ‘Purley skyscraper’ can be built.

Today (Tuesday, December 3) marked the start of a four-day public inquiry after which a decision will be made about whether the redevelopment of Purley Baptist Church will happen.

Plans for a 17-storey block of flats were first approved by Croydon Council in 2016. 

A public inquiry followed and in December 2018, James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, rejected the plans to build 220 flats on derelict land to the west of Purley Cross.

But in 2019 an order from the High Court overturned the decision made by James Brokenshire following a challenge from Croydon Council and Thornsett Group.

This was because the Secretary of State accepted that he had not “given adequate reasons for his conclusions” when he went against the recommendations of the the initial conclusion of the planning inspector in the first public inquiry in January 2018.

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The current inquiry is expected to last for four days before a decision can once again be made on the plans.

In an opening statement, lawyer for Croydon Council, Stephen Morgan, said: “Nearly three years after the council resolved to grant planning permission, we will continue to demonstrate that there is no good reason to delay this development further and every good reason to allow the proposals to proceed as soon as possible.”

But speaking on behalf of seven local residents’ associations, Charles King from the East Coulsdon Residents’ Association said that there are still concerns about increased congestion in the area.

The new homes, which would be known as Mosaic Place, were put forward by Thornsett and include 120 new homes on the site of Purley Baptist Church on the junction of Banstead Road, Russell Hill Road and Brighton Road.

As well as a 17-storey tower block there would be two other buildings of three and eight stories.

The ground floor of the development would include a home for the Purley Baptist Church as well as community space.

Mr King added that the seven residents’ associations support new development but did not feel the tallest building was in keeping with the area.

Chris Philp who is standing for re-election in Croydon South also spoke in objection to the plans.

He said: “This site has been vacant for some years and it is an eyesore it needs to be built on but the application does not do that, but I do accept in principle development.

“Most buildings are three to four-storeys there is no way a 17-storey building is sympathetic to local character and history. And 11,000 people have now signed a petition expressing that view.”

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But lawyer for the applicant, Christopher Katkowski, argued that a picture used on a petition started by Mr Philp was out of date and not of the plan that was actually submitted.

When the plans were originally approved, Councillor Paul Scott was chair of the planning committee.

At the planning inquiry today he said: “There was a lot of consideration looking at ensuring that a high quality design was achieved. We were pleased to see the scheme develop in the way that it did.

“The location for the tower was accepted as the most sensible place to put a tower in Purley.

“Purley is an area designated in the Croydon Local Plan for a high level of growth to meet housing need.

“And significant growth will require change. Local residents have made it clear to use that they are not happy with suburban intensification. If the homes were not built here it would mean dozens more smaller developments on residential streets.”

The  inquiry is set to last four days and is being held at Purley Baptist Church from 10am daily. 

Planning inspector Paul Jackson will hear evidence from all parties and carry out site visits at the inquiry before going away to write a report and make a decision on the plans.