This 53-storey tower could be the sight greeting passengers at East Croydon station under new plans revealed by developer Menta.

The futuristic design marks the return of a major development planned for Cherry Orchard Road, which was withdrawn last July following a massive backlash from residents over the scheme’s height.

New plans for the site include about 700 homes spread across two towers, a 165-bed four star hotel and 6,000sq m of office space.

A community centre, shops and cafes and a large public space are also in the proposals, which Menta expects to submit as an official planning application before the end of the year.

Addiscombe councillor Sean Fitzsimons said: “We are keen to see development of Cherry Orchard Road as it’s been blighted for far too long with boarded up buildings and run-down car parks.

“But is a 171m tower with 400 or 500 homes the right price for people to pay for regeneration?”

Mr Fitzsimons said he had offered to chair a public meeting about the proposed plan to gauge the community’s views.

He said: “We have offered out an olive branch to Menta to say this is a better scheme than the last one, but we do have concerns about the height.”