The next stage of the Ruskin Square development next to East Croydon Station is expected to be completed in 2023.

A planning application for Two Ruskin Square has been submitted to Croydon Council and last week it was announced that a government department has agreed to move in.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) has signed an agreement with developers Schroder Real Estate and Stanhope.

The first stage of the Ruskin Square development, an office block One Ruskin Square is already completed and HMRC moved in back in 2017.

Croydon Council leader Councillor Tony Newman described the news as a ‘vote of confidence’ in the town.

“We have always said Croydon’s offering to the business community, combined with its excellent transport connections rivalled that of central London,” he said.

“In the last few years we have seen some of the UK’s biggest companies move their businesses to the heart of our borough, and this 25-year deal proves more and more employers are recognising this.”

The new development will be the second office building at the Ruskin Square site which has outline planning permission.

If the latest full planning application is granted work could start as early as this summer and be completed in late 2023.

It is not just offices which will be provided as part of the multi-billion pound development.

The first batch of 161 flats, known as Vita, opened in 2016. There are a total of 625 flats planned for the scheme.

Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, cabinet member for economy and jobs, added: “I look forward to welcoming another government department to the borough which importantly will bring with it new jobs and training opportunities for residents, particularly within construction when – subject to planning permission – work on site begins.”