You may be aware that there is an application for a completely inappropriate development that would demolish the family home at number 41 Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, to make way for a three-storey plus lower ground floor level building containing 9 flats.
This application is being heard by Croydon Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 21st October 2021. The meeting starts at 6:30pm in Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katherine Street, Croydon, CR0 1NX.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, however, you can watch the meeting remotely via the following link: https://civico.net/croydon/meetings/13697
If you would like to attend in person please note that spaces are extremely limited and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like to attend in person please email michelle.gerning@croydon.gov.uk by 5pm the working day prior to the meeting to register your interest.
I have set out some of the details of my objections to this application below. Please do share this so that as many people as possible are aware of this latest terrible scheme in our local area.
21/02846/FUL Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, CR5 1RD
Demolition of the existing dwellinghouse and the construction of a three-storey plus lower ground floor level building comprising 9 flats, with associated vehicle and cycle parking, refuse store, hard and soft landscaping.
In essence, my concerns with this application are as follows:
- The proposal for 9 new homes spread over four storeys in a block of flats would be a significant overdevelopment of this site due to its size, height, density, footprint, bulk and massing and would be harmful to the street scene.
- The contemporary design and the type of the block proposed to sit on this site is out of character with the single family traditional-style homes adjacent to the site and would fail to integrate well into the street scene.
- The design and materials as proposed fail to respect the existing character of the Edwardian houses in Fairdene Road and the local distinctiveness of the Hooley House Estate.
- The proposal fails to respect the local development pattern, layout and siting and completely dominates the plot; neighbouring properties are generously spaced and respect the trees and green character of the area.
- The proposed balconies, terraces and skylights would be out of character.
- The proposed development, by reasons of its scale, bulk, design, form and massing, would result in harm to amenities of the occupiers through the loss of light, outlook and overbearing form and in terms of privacy and overlooking.
- The proposed scheme fails to provide adequate outlook and would result in a substandard quality of accommodation for future occupiers.
- Inadequate parking provision for residents and visitors.
- Concreting over of garden space; loss of trees, natural vegetation and natural habitat.
- Unsatisfactory, poorly designed refuse arrangements.
- The cumulative impact of this development with other already approved intensive schemes upon local infrastructure such as sewage system and local drainage, which are already overloaded; GP services and schools.
If you share my concerns and haven’t commented to date then you can still do so up until the decision date via the Council’s website at https://new.croydon.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/planning/comment-or-object-planning-application
In the past when the Planning Committee has considered this kind of application the four Conservative councillors on the committee have voted against such inappropriate development, but the six Labour councillors have chosen to vote in favour. You may therefore also like to let the Labour Planning Committee members know of your concerns.
Their email addresses are:
Cllr Chris Clark – chris.clark2@croydon.gov.uk – Chair of the Planning Committee
Cllr Leila Ben-Hassel – leila.ben-hassel@croydon.gov.uk – Vice Chair
Cllr Clive Fraser – clive.fraser@croydon.gov.uk
Cllr Joy Prince – joy.prince@croydon.gov.uk
Cllr Jamie Audsley – jamie.audsley@croydon.gov.uk
Cllr Humayun Kabir – humayun.kabir@croydon.gov.uk
There is nothing in national planning law or policy requiring the council to pass applications such as this. Neighbouring Boroughs such as Sutton and Bromley do not pass applications like this, despite being subject to the same national policy.
I very much hope that this application will be refused and that you will find this information helpful.
