Construction is set to begin on nearly 500 new homes as part of the East Croydon Masterplan.

Housebuilder Redrow and regeneration specialist Menta have announced that phase two of its development next to East Croydon Station will begin in March.

So more than 300 homes have already been built as a result of the first phase of the plan.

Mark Parker, chief executive of Redrow’s Greater London region, said: “We are thrilled to be working on the second phase of the Morello project.

"The first phase has already provided vital new homes for an emerging part of the capital and has positively contributed to the local economy, and we feel confident that the second phase will do the same and much more.

“Croydon is undergoing an exciting transformation and is fast becoming somewhere Londoners want to live and work, and we are eager to be part of the process.

"Our shared vision is to provide better places to live through excellent placemaking, high-quality homes, improved public realm and local infrastructure, and we look forward to developing our relationship further.”

The £200 million scheme will include 118 'affordable' homes as well as shopping space.

The project will also include a new station entrance connecting Addiscombe, through the Morello II development, into East Croydon station.

Craig Marks, chief executive of Menta, said: “We have been involved in Croydon for a number of years, starting with the 6-acre Gateway site now being delivered as Ruskin square.

"Now working in joint venture with Redrow we have already delivered 300 new homes, including many affordable units, for Londoners.

"Menta are also in the process of considering other options to assist the Council deliver a new station and environment around the station with an implemented consent for over 100,000 sqft of offices and leisure uses on adjacent landholdings.

“We are of the philosophy that a regeneration story requires exceptional architecture, as this changes environments, and their perception as places to be. Whether living, working or passing through.

"We invited Make Architects to join the team and we now have wonderful public realm and landscaping framing our buildings from the railway, giving a perception of a less dense environment whilst delivering the all-important outputs of new homes and jobs.”

The long-term regeneration of Croydon town centre is being supported by a £23 million grant from the Mayor’s Regeneration Fund, plus more than £26m from Croydon Council and others through the Connected Croydon Programme.