Hundreds of new flats in Croydon town centre have been given the green light at the council’s first ever virtual meeting.

The planning meeting was held online where new chair, councillor Chris Clark was elected – four members voted in favour, with one, councillor Jason Perry, abstaining from the vote.

There were just five members at this virtual meeting – cllr Clark said this was a cross-party decision.

He said: “As this is the first meeting using the new technology we have agreed to temporarily reduce the number of members attending the committee.

The committee heard plans for 421 new homes built by council-owned developer Brick by Brick next to Fairfield Halls.

It will be made up of five buildings from seven to 29 storeys tall and will include space for shops and an NHS health centre.

Of the new flats, 69 will be offered as shared ownership – this falls short of the 20 per cent affordable housing the council usually asks for.

Cllr Clark said: “The reason that this scheme is short of our target in respect of affordable housing is because there is a significant subsidy that is going to be coming back from this development into funding the work that has already been completed on Fairfield Halls.”

The venue was reopened in September following a £42.6 million refurbishment.

Sales of flats from the new development are expected to cover this cost.

Chief executive of Brick by Brick, Colm Lacey, said: “This scheme cross-funds our successful transformation of Fairfield Halls, the much-loved local cultural venue.

“This project is a great example of a mixed-use town centre development which genuinely benefits local people.”

The development, known as Fairfield Homes will be one of a range of new tower blocks on land between Fairfield Halls and Croydon College.

This includes a part 49, part 34-storey tower containing 817 co-living as well as 120 normal flats offered as shared ownership.