You may be aware of this completely inappropriate development proposed for Kenley. This proposal would see the demolition of the family home at 98 Higher Drive, Purley, CR8 2HL, to make way for a 4-storey block containing 9 flats.
This application is being heard by Croydon Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 24th March 2022. The meeting starts at 6:00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katherine Street, Croydon, CR0 1NX.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting in person, however, you can watch the meeting remotely via the following link: https://webcasting.croydon.gov.uk/14991-Planning-Committee.
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 Jayde Watts at jayde.watts@croydon.gov.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 23rd March to register your interest.
This is a shocking application and I have lodged a strong objection to it. My reasons are as follows:
21/04358/FUL
Demolition of existing house and erection of a 3-4 storey block comprising 9 flats with 9 car parking spaces and associated landscaping.
98 Higher Drive Purley CR8 2HL
- The proposal for a large block of 9 flats spread over 4 storeys would be a significant overdevelopment of this site due to its design, size, height, footprint, scale and massing.
- It would fail to integrate successfully within the immediate surroundings and would be detrimental to the street scene.
- The proposal fails to respect the local development pattern, layout and siting; it fails to respect the trees and green character of the area.
- Overall the proposal fails to respect the prevailing pattern and qualities of the area: it would appear cramped and harmful to the character of the area and would fail to integrate well into the local context.
- The development would be detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of the neighbouring properties by reason of its mass, overbearing nature, design and siting resulting in increased visual intrusion and loss of privacy.
- Insufficient parking for residents and visitors in this low 0 PTAL area, especially for the number of family-sized units proposed.
- The proposed dominant nature of the parking arrangements on the frontage would be harmful to the street scene.
- Concreting over of high-quality biodiversity-rich garden space; the loss of mature natural vegetation and natural habitat.
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. Please do share this so that as many people as possible are aware of this latest terrible scheme in our local area.
