A huge new tower block could soon change the face of Sutton town centre.

Plans for 281 flats could see 1960s office building St Nicholas House demolished to make way for the vast 19-storey block of flats.

In October 2021 Sutton Council approved a move to build a slightly smaller development of 276 flats in an 18-storey building. This was for a mix of flats offered for sale and rent.

But now developers JRL Property wants to amend the plans in favour of a ‘build to rent’ scheme of more flats.

The extra floor would only increase the height of the proposed building by 5cm. This would be achieved by reducing the height of each floor.

The 281 flats would be built across two buildings, one 19-storeys, the other 11-storeys. Twenty of the flats would be offered at a discounted rent and eight at London living rent. 

The new scheme will have communal spaces, including a shared lounge with a bar, gym and cinema room.

It would have a central garden as well as a roof garden on each block. The application said the development would likely house families with around 69 children and would have a play space for younger children.

A planning statement from DP9, on behalf of JRL Property, said: “It is considered, that whilst the scheme does result in harm in terms of the scale of the development and the impact on the neighbouring occupiers amenity, these are outweighed by the benefits of the provision of significant housing, the affordable housing provision, the architectural design of the building, the improved public realm, and the sustainable nature of the development both in terms of transport and reductions in carbon emissions.”

The development would be 0.3 miles away from the 22-storey Sutton Point and close to a 21-storey block in Sutton Court Road currently being built.

The site, across the road next to St Nicholas Church, features in the Sutton town masterplan, which includes 45 sites for redevelopment, including empty office buildings and shops.

The original site St Nicholas House was constructed in 1965 for Surrey Motors, a company first set up in 1919.

Public consultation on the planning application closes on Tuesday, March 8 and a decision is expected by April 18, 2022.