The council’s latest application to demolish a family home and replace it with flats is in Purley (I will be commenting on the Purley Skyscraper application elsewhere). 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.
20/02117/FUL
Demolition of existing detached dwellinghouse and erection of single new building containing 8 self-contained flats with associated parking, amenity space, bin store, cycle store and alterations to the existing land levels.
11 Russell Hill Purley CR8 2JB
I am writing to lodge my objections with regard to the above planning application. My reasons are as follows:
- The proposal for 8 new homes spread over 4 storeys – would be an overdevelopment of this site due to its size, density, footprint, bulk and massing
- There would be a detrimental impact on the amenities of adjoining occupiers due to overlooking and loss of privacy
- Lack of recognition of cumulative impact of another flatted development in Russell Hill
- Loss of mature trees and risk to retained trees
- Concreting over of garden space and the loss of natural vegetation and natural habitat
- The housing need is for family homes with gardens, not flats
- Inadequate parking provision for residents and visitors
- Lack of consideration of any impact on local infrastructure: eg drainage, schools, GPs
- Such intensification is no longer justifiable following the reduction in the London Plan housing targets
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”
- Paragraph 122 – “Planning Policy and decisions should support development that makes efficient use of land that, taking into account (a) the identified need for different types of housing … (b) local market conditions …. (c) the availability and capacity of infrastructure and services … (d) the desirability of maintaining an area’s prevailing character and setting (including residential gardens)”
- 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”
The best way that we can stop the council from continuing with this planning mess is through a Directly Elected Mayor. You can learn more about this campaign and download the petition here –https://democ.org.uk/sign-petition
