Controversial plans for a 17-storey block of flats dubbed the ‘Purley skyscraper’ have been approved by the planning inspectorate.

The plans were first approved by Croydon Council back in 2016 but since then have been the subject of two separate public inquiries.

A first inquiry in January 2018 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 that decision following a challenge from Croydon Council and Thornsett Group.

The second public inquiry took place over four days in December 2019.

The new development will be known as Mosaic Place and includes 120 new homes on the site of Purley Baptist Church on the junction of Banstead Road, Russell Hill Road and Brighton Road.

The £20.25 million scheme was put forward by the baptist church and Thornsett Group.

MP for Croydon South Chris Philp said he is disappointed by the decision.

He said: “I am absolutely gutted by the planning inspector’s recommendation after four years of fighting this terrible application.

“In his report the planning inspector said the application is consistent with the Local Plan which the council passed, so the root of this problem is the Local Plan.

“I am very concerned that the new draft of the Local Plan will turn Purley into a mini city.”

But Croydon Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, councillor Paul Scott, said Mr Philp should be “hanging his head in shame” for opposing the scheme.

Cllr Scott said: “It is an excellent scheme and it is a real shame that the government have delayed this project for a number of years now.

“We got the decision right at the beginning, it has wasted time and hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

He estimates that the council has spent at least £100,000 on the process.

“I hope Chris Philp is hanging his head in shame, he has misled the public on this and has acted deplorably – this should have never been called-in in the first place,” added cllr Scott

“I hope that the developers are now able to get on with the scheme quickly and deliver a fantastic array of community facilities and 220 much-needed homes.”

As well as a 17-storey tower block, the development will include 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.

In a statement, Thornsett Group said: “Thornsett Group plc and Purley Baptist Church are delighted to have received planning permission for their scheme of 220 homes, 39 of which are affordable, and new church and community facilities.

“We look forward to starting work in the very near future and delivering new homes and community facilities that everyone can feel proud of.”