My update of more recent good news on local planning matters.
I have continued to work 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 individual residents – continue to now be listened to under Croydon’s new planning approach, and applications to destroy family homes and replace them with blocks of flats are now almost always rejected after proper consideration.
For far too long in Croydon, the previous Labour Council used to just wave through nearly every application with barely a moment’s consideration. By granting indiscriminate planning applications, often destroying family homes and concreting over green spaces to make way for the over-intensive flats, they risked changing the green character of many neighbourhoods in our area and reduce the number of houses available for families.
Below is an update of some recent very positive planning decisions, where inappropriate applications have been declined.
I remain delighted to see planning decisions in Croydon now being made properly, only after careful consideration, and with respect for the character of our local areas.
Coulsdon Town:
- 23 The Grove, Coulsdon, CR5 2BH (24/01162/FUL)
Proposed demolition of a family home to construct a development of three four-bed houses. Refused due to the incongruous scale of this development, which would be harmful to the local character, plus car parking issues, inadequate rubbish bin arrangements and biodiversity concerns.
Result: Refused permission
Kenley:
- 11 Haydn Avenue, Kenley, CR8 4AG (23/04771/FUL)
Proposed demolition of a garage and side-extension to construct an additional four houses squeezed in the back garden of this family home. Refused due to over-development and failure to respect the local residential character.
Result: Refused permission
Purley and Woodcote:
- 57-59 Selcroft Road, Purley, CR8 1AL (23/00099/FUL)
Proposed demolition of two family homes to construct a five-floor block of 18 flats, with an underground parking garage. Refused due to the scale and being unsightly and out-of-character, as well as the potential harm to trees and unacceptable parking and drainage issues.
Result: Refused permission - 100 Brighton Road, Purley, CR8 4DA (23/04251/FUL)
Proposed demolition of heritage former funeral care buildings to construct a block of 30 flats with car park for 15 cars. Refused due to the detrimental impact of the design and footprint on the street and character of the area, as well as failing to provide adequate quality accommodation, daylight, or communal amenities.
Result: Refused permission - 931 Brighton Road, Purley, CR8 2BP (24/01343/FUL)
Proposed construction of multiple extra floors above this shop, in a Local Heritage Area, to develop a four-bed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO). Refused due to this incongruous development failing to respect the adjacent building, harming the appearance of the row, the special character and appearance of the Local Heritage Area, as well as providing substandard accommodation and unsatisfactory living conditions, with inadequate floor areas and ceiling height.
Result: Refused permission - 16 Green Lane, Purley, CR8 3PG (24/01775/FUL)
Proposed conversion of a family home into six flats through multiple extensions and enlargements. Refused due to the scale and footprint being out of character with the neighbouring properties and failing to provide family-sized accommodation in a location with an identified need for it, as well loss of or harm to good quality trees.
Result: Refused permission
Sanderstead:
- 40 Arkwright Road, Sanderstead, CR2 0LL (24/01332/LP)
Proposed loss of family home by changing its designated use into supported accommodation for young people and carers. Refused due to the applicant failing to adequately prove that the eventual use would actually fall within the designated use category they claimed.
Result: Lawful Development Certificate Refused - 1 Shaw Crescent, Sanderstead, CR2 9JB (24/01412/FUL)
Proposed loss of a family home by changing its designated use into a Children’s Care Home. Refused due to both the additional noise disturbance and parking demands this would present neighbouring family homes, as well as the absence of any identified need for such premises as compared with the identified need for family homes.
Result: Refused permission - 97 Wentworth Way, Sanderstead, CR2 9EZ (24/00672/FUL)
Proposed construction of a two-storey side extension, through which residents must drive to access the rear properties. Refused due to unbalancing the existing terraced row, harming the character of the area and presenting access concerns to the premises at the rear.
Result: Refused permission
South Croydon:
- 1A Brighton Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EA (22/04985/OUT)
Proposed demolition of buildings to construct a block of 22 flats and two commercial units. Refused due to a poor quality design, which did not respect the local character, including the setting of the ‘locally listed’ building, and ground floor flats that would be unacceptably vulnerable to flooding.
Result: Refused permission
