There is an application to demolish a bungalow in Kenley 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.
20/00981/FUL
Demolition of existing 2 bedroom bungalow and replacement with four dwellings, car parking, landscaping
8 Kearton Close Kenley CR8 5EN
I am writing to lodge my objection to the above planning application. My reasons are as follows:
- The proposal for 4 new homes on this site would be a significant overdevelopment due to its size, footprint, layout, density and massing and would be detrimental to the street scene and local verdant context
- The design and type of buildings proposed to sit on this site would be completely out of character with the properties immediately adjacent to the site and will be harmful to the street-scene
- The mono pitch roof form would be at odds with the character of the local context which is of traditional roof forms
- There would be a detrimental impact on the open sylvan character of Kearton Close
- There would be a detrimental impact on the amenities of adjoining occupiers due to overlooking, overbearing impact and loss of daylight/sunlight
- Concreting over of garden space and the loss of mature landscaping, natural vegetation and natural habitat – the proposal would fail to respect the leafy character of the surrounding area
- Inadequate information in relation to the trees on the site and any impact from the proposal
- Inadequate car parking arrangements for residents and visitors
- Lack of consideration of any impact on local infrastructure: eg schools, GPs, drainage
- 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…. The Council will take into account cumulative impact.”
- 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 … (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
