New pictures show how Croydon could look without one of its landmark buildings - Taberner House.

At last night's cabinet meeting Croydon Council agreed plans to join up with John Laing Projects and Developments for a £450m scheme to regenerate the town centre.

The plans include a new council headquarters with the imposing Taberner House no longer casting its shadow over Queen's Gardens.

Instead developers propose the creation of two 40 storey towers with 659 residential units - a combination of both private and affordable.

In total the developers say they will create around 1,314 new residential units.

Artist's impressions released by the developer shows a new three-tiered building on Fell Road which will act as the council's HQ.

And near to where the council's 40-year-old skyscraper Taberner House currently stands is a second sparkling modern building.

The council's partnership with John Laing Projects and Developments is the first model of what in planning jargon is termed a "local asset backed vehicle".

This model sees the council setting up a limited liability partnership with the developers.

The council will put its buildings into the partnership with their value being matched by investment in the assets regeneration come from the developer.

The pair then share in the profits made from the redeveloped sites.

The Croydon model is being studied by councillors in Newham and Lambeth as they make plans for their own boroughs.

Croydon Council's deputy leader Councillor Tim Pollard said: "It won't have escaped anyone's notice that some of the most successful companies in the UK are property developers.

"The council has for some time sold sites to the highest bidder only for developers to take all the profit when land is developed.

"The solution we expect to engineer with John Laing will ensure we get a big slice of the future action and make a lasting contribution to Croydon's regeneration."

  • To see larger images click here. What do you think of the new plans? Do the council need new offices? Is the partnership a good idea? Have your say using the comment feature below.