People are outraged that the Coulsdon Community Centre could be turned into homes

Croydon Council's development company Brick by Brick has proposed in a planning application that the community centre be demolished and replaced by 17 houses and 16 flats.

Coulsdon West Councillor Mario Creatura said there was "no compelling case" to spend money relocating the centre.

"It is fine where it is and has served its community very well under its current management committee," he said.

"As the new proposed development is up hill from existing properties there is fear from the many residents who have contact me that they will be able to look down directly into bedrooms and bathrooms of existing properties, seriously affecting privacy and security."

At the moment, the community centre theatre is currently used for theatre rehearsals and productions, exercise classes and a nursery that operate from the building, among other things.

The councillor isn't the only one upset by the proposal either.

In a statement posted on the community centre's website, Richard Lloyd was doubtful that moving the centre to the old Smitham Junior School (former CALAT Centre at 41 Malcolm Road) site would benefit the community.

"Now there may be certain advantages to this proposal, including new, improved facilities and more space, or there may not," Mr Lloyd wrote "We’re engaging with the council, their development company and the architects, to consider all the options, and to make sure that any scheme that does go forward (and there’s no guarantee it will) meets the needs of all our many user groups and the wider community.

"If – and it’s a big if – we feel we can reach an accommodation on a scheme and a deal which we feel able to recommend to our users, then we’ll make sure everybody knows about it and is happy with it.

"If we can’t, then we will vigorously defend our right to stay exactly where we are, and to continue operating very successfully as we have been for many years."

The community centre building dates back to 1935 and is let by Croydon Council to Coulsdon Community Centre.