Croydon Council has launched a development company to take control over the Taberner House scheme that will see the building of new homes and boost the local construction industry.

This will be the development company’s first major scheme, which will provide 418 homes, with 30% affordable housing – double that under the previous plans.

The development company will work with a developer, which will build the scheme across four blocks instead of five, providing significantly more green space in The Queen’s Gardens.

It will function as a separate commercial body, while taking on the role of the council’s development partner.

This means it can ensure more homes of different tenures to suit different needs are built in Croydon and a variety of development opportunities are realised.

The revised plans for the Taberner House site are due to be submitted for planning permission later this year with construction work expected to begin on site early next year.

Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning said: “Delivering Taberner House through the development company gives the council direct control of the scheme, enabling us to provide more affordable homes.”