An 18-storey tower block will be built in central Croydon after planning permission was granted.

The development, consisting of a smaller 8-storey block also, will bring 137 new homes to Addiscombe Road.

Croydon's planning committee gave the L&Q project the go ahead on March 28.

The two towers will include 53% affordable housing.

The plans have been designed by award winning architects GSA to reflect the character of the area, drawing inspiration from local post war architecture.

Vicky Savage, Regional Managing Director for the South Region at L&Q said: “We welcome the decision by Croydon Council to approve our application for 30-38 Addiscombe Road.

“Our vision is that everyone has a quality home they can afford, and we see great potential to grow and expand in Croydon.”

The news comes soon after a group of residents stormed the town hall in protest of the council's planning policy last week.

Demonstrators, largely from the south of the borough, claim the planning committee grants permission to large scale developments too easily, often destroying suitable family properties.

By introducing localised planning area committees, they argue, residents will be given more control of decisions in their area.

According to the council, to address the current housing crisis, large-scale builds are necessary and a centralised planning policy is the only practical way of delivering the scale of development required.