Forsters advises Menta Developments on Morello and Galaxy House schemes

Forsters continues to advise privately owned property company, Menta Developments, in relation to its regeneration plans to transform the area around East Croydon Station.

Specialising in major redevelopment and regeneration projects, Menta acquired the Galaxy House site, previously home to the former Bank of America Merrill Lynch office building, earlier this year in partnership with housebuilder Redrow under a joint venture arrangement.

Following extensive pre-application discussions, a planning application has now been submitted in respect of Menta Redrow Limited's development proposals for the site, for a new 290 unit residential development comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments spread across four buildings of thirteen, nineteen, fifteen and nine storeys. A decision on the application is expected in the last quarter of 2013.

A cross-discipline team from Forsters advised Menta in relation to the Galaxy House planning application, the structuring of the joint venture arrangements and the site acquisition. Commercial Property partner Eugene McMahon leads the cross-departmental team including head of planning Tim Taylor, corporate partner Craig Thompson assisted by Naomi Trinh and commercial property assistant Owen Dutton.

Forsters also continue to advise Menta in relation to the proposed Morello development, for which planning permission has been granted. The Morello scheme will comprise four distinctive buildings along Cherry Orchard Road adjacent to East Croydon Station, one of which at 55 storeys will be the tallest residential tower in the UK. In addition, the scheme, designed by Make architects, includes a 17-storey four-star boutique hotel with 165 suites, 22 serviced apartments, business and retail spaces, a wellness centre and restaurant. The two remaining buildings will contain Grade A start-up office accommodation, mixed tenure affordable housing and a community centre.