I write with another periodic update of more recent good news on local planning matters. I have continued to work closely and successfully with Mayor Jason Perry to safeguard the character of our area and protect family homes.
I know many residents share my view that, while some new flats are needed (especially for younger people trying to get on the property ladder for the first time) we should not be destroying family homes, which local families need, or changing the character of green suburbs like ours to build them. New flats are better suited to places like Croydon town centre, city centres and brownfield sites.
Local objections to over-development – including mine as our local MP and those of local Residents’ Associations and councillors as well as individual residents – continue to now be listened to under Mayor Perry’s new planning approach in Croydon, and applications to destroy family homes and replace them with blocks of flats are now almost always rejected after proper consideration.
Below is an update of some recent very positive planning decisions, where inappropriate applications have been declined. For a variety of reasons, these proposals were clearly inappropriate for these sites in our local neighbourhoods and I shared residents’ concerns about them, so I am pleased to see that all of these applications have been refused.
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Kenley
2 Lower Road, Kenley, CR8 5NB (25/00101/GPDO)
Proposed change of use from an office into four flats. Refused as it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the local highway network by reason of increased on-street parking stress. Result: Refused permission
I am concerned to see that a further similar application has been submitted and I have objected to this. In the meantime I am pleased to see that a further application for this property for alterations, a basement extension and additional windows (25/00100/FUL), which I opposed, has also now been refused due to the loss of privacy and intrusive and oppressive impact on neighbours.
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Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown
75A Riddlesdown Road, Purley, CR8 1DJ (24/03822/FUL)
Proposed conversion and extension of this lovely family home to create a block of four flats. Refused due to failing to respect the character or the appearance of the surrounding area, providing sub-standard living accommodation, poor levels of both light and privacy, and failing to provide the adequate parking spaces required. Result: Refused permission
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3 The Spinney, Purley, CR8 1AB (24/01276/FUL)
Proposed squeezing in another two storey house in the garden of a family home. Refused due to inappropriate subdivision of the existing plot, failing to reflect the development pattern of the area and providing a cramped and overbearing overdevelopment of the site, impacting negatively on neighbours. Result: Refused permission
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23 Kendall Avenue South, South Croydon, CR2 0QR (24/04033/FUL)
Proposed (part retrospective) loss of a family home to squeeze in an extended block of four flats instead. Refused due to the loss of a much-needed family home and providing sub-standard living accommodation, poor levels of light and failing to provide level access to any outdoor amenity space for all units. Result: Refused permission
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South Croydon
Floral House, 238 Selsdon Road, South Croydon, CR2 7AA (24/00190/FUL)
Proposed squeezing in an additional house into the garden of a family home. Refused due to the proposed sub-division resulting in a plot much smaller than the area and therefore incongruous and out of keeping with the pattern and rhythm of nearby development, resulting in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area. Result: Refused permission
