The iconic Nestlé Tower could become a huge 271 unit apartment block under plans by new owners Legal and General.

Food giant Nestlé announced at the start of the year it was leaving Croydon for new premises in Crawley after 47 years, taking almost 1000 jobs with it.

Legal and General confirmed it had purchased the 24-storey building for £39m shortly afterwards and had taken over BT’s lease on the property.

At a strategic planning meeting tonight, Legal and General will lay out plans to convert the office block into flats, which could also include a resident’s gym and cinema on the ground floor and a public restaurant with viewing gallery on the top floor.

Commercial space along the Park Street will be created at ground level which could include a nursery, medical facilities such as a dental surgery and newsagents.

An additional six storeys in height could be added to sections of the building and with a car parking space for each unit provided in the existing basement.

The homes would be split into nine studio flats, 110 one bedroom, 120 two bedroom and 32 three bedroom apartments.

Legal and General has promised to make 43 of the units affordable housing, 17 per cent of the overall total.