Plans to build 13 flats for the homeless in South Croydon have been rejected.

The locally listed building, in Warham Road, had previously been used as a children's nursery, but has been empty for nearly a year due to "financial difficulties."

"Since the nursery vacated the premises, the building's owner has actively sought a new tenant for the property," the application said.

"In September 2016, a new nursery provider moved into the property but was forced to close approximately six months later due to the financial implications associated with the lack of demand for such a facility.

"Efforts have been made to find a new community use for the building; however, these have not yielded any success with respect to finding an interested tenant to use the building for the type of community use required by local planning policy."

So after talks with the council, the developers decided to submit a planning application that would house the homeless.

"he scheme will provide housing that is specifically designed to be affordable and accessible to homeless residents most in need," the application said.

"Though being targeted at those most in need, the proposed facility will provide homeless residents, who may otherwise find it challenging to access traditional forms of affordable housing, with good quality residential accommodation whilst they are supposed to move into more traditional forms of affordable housing."

But this week, the application was rejected.

Noting the reasons for refusal, the case officer said the proposed flats would be too small and result in a "poor standard of accommodation."