There is an application to demolish a family home on Selsdon Road and replace it with flats. You can read my official opposition to the application below. Please do share this using the button below so that as many people as possible are aware of the planning mess in our area.
Re: 20/02863/FUL
Demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of a 2/3/4 storey building comprising of 9 units. Provision of associated parking, landscaping, amenity space, refuse and cycle storage.
270 Selsdon Road South Croydon CR2 7AA
I am writing to lodge my objection to the above planning application. My reasons are as follows:
- The proposal for 9 new homes spread over 4 floors – would be a significant overdevelopment of this corner site due to its scale, size, height, footprint, bulk and massing
- The design, height and type of building proposed is completely out of character with the traditionally designed properties within the surrounding area and will be detrimental to the street-scene
- The flat roof design would be completely out of character with the adjacent properties which have pitched roofs and this would be harmful to the local character
- There would be a detrimental impact on the amenities of adjoining occupiers due to the dominance of the development, overlooking, overshadowing and the loss of sunlight and privacy
- The adjacent electricity substation on Carlton Avenue and its landmark tower, which is of local architectural interest, would be completely dominated by this proposal
- Concreting over of most of the garden space and the loss of trees, natural vegetation and natural habitat
- Poor quality and inadequate amenity space for occupiers of the new development
- Insufficient parking provision
- Lack of acknowledgement of the impact of this intensive development upon the local infrastructure including parking, school places, GP’s
On these above grounds the application breaches the following policies:
Croydon Local Plan, February 2018
- Policy SP1.2 on page 13: “The Council will require all new development in the borough to contribute to enhancing a sense of place and improving the character of the area, whilst acknowledging the need for growth … Development proposals should respond to and enhance local character”
- Policy DM10.1, page 86: “Proposals should be of high quality and, whilst seeking to achieve a minimum height of 3 storeys, should respect: a. The development pattern, layout and siting; b. The scale, height, massing, and density; c. The appearance, existing materials and built and natural features of the surrounding area; the Place of Croydon in which it is located
- DM10.6, page 87: “The Council will support proposals for development that ensure that; a. The amenity of the occupiers of adjoining buildings are protected; and that b. They do not result in direct overlooking at close range or habitable rooms in main rear or private elevations; and that c. They do not result in direct overlooking of private outdoor space (with the exception of communal open space) within 10m perpendicular to the rear elevation of a dwelling”
National Planning Policy Framework, July 2018
- Paragraph 8(b) “protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment”
- Clause 127 (c) “Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments … (c) are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities)”
- Paragraph 131 – applications should “fit in with the overall form and layout of their surroundings”
