The latest skyscraper to be added to Croydon's ever higher skyline was approved at a council meeting on Thursday.

Members of the planning committee agreed to Berkeley Homes's plans to build the 44-storey tower on the former Randolph and Pembroke House site in Wellesley Road as part of a development that will see a total of 739 flats built across five blocks.The new building will stand a whopping 18 storey's higher than the borough's current highest, Altitude 25 in Fairfield Road, which is set to be finished this year.The site, at the junction with Bedford Park, has been derelict for about 15 years and cabinet member for planning councillor Chris Wright praised the design for being a good use of the space.He said: "We have here a derelict site and an eyesore for the whole of the centre of Croydon, and this is a building that will be in exactly the right place. It will bring Croydon further on to the map for attracting people to the borough."What we would like to see is something of good design and good value and good services. It ticks all these boxes."Vice-chairman of the committee councillor Luke Clancy was also pleased with the complex.He said: "I think this development will revitalise the town centre. The location is ideal to increase residential density and the building is striking and it catches the eye."Councillors were treated to a computer generated fly-by presentation at the meeting, and 3D models of the entire complex and tower block.The six blocks, which range from four storey's to 14, will all be linked with a public square in the middle and shops and services on the ground floor.Harry Lewis, speaking at the meeting for Berkeley Homes's agent Rolfe Judd Planning, said: "Croydon has great potential but requires belief and investment to realise it. We are committed to delivering the scheme and have the experience and track record to do it."Councillor Paul Scott voiced concerns over the look of the tower though, he: said: "I'm not convinced that the impact of this design on the skyline will be positive. It's pretty well designed and will generally look ok but with such a tall building it needs to be absolutely excellent and needs to blow your socks off when you see it."