There has been another application to over develop a part of Coulsdon. This time a family home on Waddington Avenue is set to be demolished for a block of flats. My official opposition is laid out below.
Croydon Council’s planning policy aims for far more homes than those set out by the Mayor of London. They can over develop the south of the borough due to the borough’s lay out, which allows the Labour administration to ignore the concerns of people living in the south of the borough.
This is why I’m supporting the campaign for a Directly Elected Mayor of Croydon, who would be answerable to the whole borough at elections. You can read more here – https://www.chrisphilp.com/20000-local-residents-urge-council-to-hold-referendum-for-a-directly-elected-mayor-of-croydon-on-6-may-next-year/
20/02632/FUL
Demolition of existing dwellinghouse; the construction of a block comprising 5 flats to the front and two pairs of semi-detached dwellinghouses to the rear, with associated vehicular access, vehicle and cycle parking, refuse store and landscaping.
72 Waddington Avenue Coulsdon CR5 1QN
I am writing to lodge my objection to the above planning application. My reasons are as follows:
- The proposal for 9 new homes – a block of 5 flats plus 4 semi-detached properties – would be a significant overdevelopment of this site due to its size, density, height, footprint, bulk and massing and would be detrimental to the street scene
- The three story proposal would be out of character with adjacent properties which are one and two storey detached and semi-detached family homes on single plots
- Detrimental impact on adjoining occupiers due to overlooking and loss of privacy – especially from the balconies
- Insufficient parking provision for residents and visitors
- Concreting over of garden space; the loss of natural vegetation and natural habitat
- 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
- 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”
