Croydon's development arm prepares to go solo

The development company set up by Croydon council to build more homes that are better designed will be launched as a standalone business later this summer.

Brick by Brick was set up more than three years ago and has been trading for two years.

The £400m turnover firm is planning to complete 2,000 homes across the borough over the next four years.

Brick by Brick’s 20 staff, which includes its in-house architect Common Ground, are currently on the payroll of the council but will start receiving their wages from the developer direct at the end of the summer.

Chief executive Colm Lacey (pictured) confirmed the company will continue to be 100% owned by the council, which has picked up around £18m in profit from the business over the past three years.

Brick by Brick is expected to move out of the council’s main office in Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House, named after the former Croydon Conservative MP who became the Speaker of the House of Commons until his retirement in 1992, into new premises on George Street this September.

Last week, the firm was given planning for one of its largest schemes, a 25-storey tower that will be built on a car park site next to the south London town’s flyover.

The building on the Wandle Road car park will include close to 130 homes and has been designed by architect Pitman Tozer.

It is also planning a 160-home project in Coulsdon, designed by Mary Duggan Architects, and another 102 unit scheme in South Norwood, designed by HTA.

Henry Construction is currently on site with its largest project, the College Green scheme which includes 230 homes designed by Rick Mather Architects, now renamed Mica, and a £30m revamp of the 1960s arts venue called Fairfield Halls which is being carried out by Vinci.

Brick by Brick has close to 20 schemes on site with the first homes designed by HTA and built by north London firm Quinn due to be competed early next year at a development in Crystal Palace.