The skyline of Ilford is set for a new landmark when a huge development of 332 apartments, including a 23-storey tower block, is built.

Ilford Recorder: The development will be on the former site of Britannia Music in Roden Street.The development will be on the former site of Britannia Music in Roden Street. (Image: Archant)

The plans for the former Britannia Music site, in Roden Street, were approved in 2010 but now developers want to add a further 22 homes to the complex.

Designs include three low-rise blocks, a 23-storey tower facing Ilford Hill and Chapel Road, office space, parking and a restaurant.

Less than a third of homes will be made available as affordable housing, while the rest will be private lets.

Councillors will be considering the expansion of three blocks and other changes to the plans at a meeting on Monday.

A report for the regulatory committee meeting recommends permission is granted for the expansion, on the condition that construction work starts no later than October 5 this year.

It said: “The current vacant site does not contribute to Ilford centre at all, whereas the new development will provide additional housing in the borough within a well-designed development.”

But some consultation responses expressed concern over strain on the infrastructure caused by hundreds of new residents.

A representation from primary care trust North East London and the City requested £21,984 from developers Durkan Estates to fund “necessary improvements to the local polysystem, such as local GP practices and Loxford polyclinic”.

The payment would be in addition to the £166,000 towards community infrastructure, £567,000 towards Chapel Road improvements, £80,000 towards employment skills and £183,000 towards transport and traffic management agreed for the original plans.

A resident from nearby Westside Apartments, in Roden Street, predicted an “increase in noise, litter and potential anti-social behaviour”.

But the cabinet member for regeneration and property, cllr Thomas Chan, believes the development will be an asset to Ilford.

He said: “The town will benefit from Crossrail in 2019 and as our prime town centre in Redbridge, I believe we can accommodate not only more people, but more businesses.

“Of course it will put pressure on some services but with our community infrastructure levy, I’m sure we will have the services and facilities to mitigate it.”