There is an application to demolish a Purley family home to replace it with a block of 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.
20/03389/FUL
Demolition of existing five-bedroom dwelling house and the construction of part-four/part-five storey building comprising 19 flats, associated vehicle and cycle parking and refuse storage with hard and soft landscaping.
88 Riddlesdown Road Purley CR8 1DD
I am writing to lodge my objection to the above planning application. My reasons are as follows:
- The proposal for 19 new homes spread over four large blocks of up to five storeys, would be a significant overdevelopment of this site due to its size, height, footprint, bulk and massing and would be detrimental to the character of the local area
- By reason of its scale, massing, bulk, form and design the development would be visually dominating and harmful to the character of the locality; it completely fails to fit in with the overall form and layout of the surroundings
- The architectural design of the scheme proposed to sit on this elevated site is unattractive and out of character with the more traditional character design properties adjacent to the site and will be detrimental to the street-scene
- The design and density is more suited to an urban environment than this leafy suburban site and would be harmful to the street-scene.
- Riddlesdown is not an area identified for intensification
- Insufficient parking provision for residents and visitors
- Concreting over of garden space; the loss of natural vegetation and trees and the detrimental impact which this will have on natural habitat
- Lack of consideration of any impact on local infrastructure: eg schools, GPs, drainage
- Concerns about the viability of the scheme and provision of affordable homes
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
- SP4.2 which requires development to be informed by the distinctive qualities, identity, topography and opportunities of the relevant Places of Croydon
- 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
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”
