Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today (14 March) refused to back calls to stop controversial plans for a 17 storey skyscraper in Purley.
In December last year Croydon Council decided to approve plans for the 17 storey skyscraper, which residents say will drastically alter the character and appearance of the area. The Council’s decision was met with large protests led by local MP Chris Philp.
In his role as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has the authority to overturn a Council’s decision to grant planning permission – in the case of the 17 storey Purley skyscraper he has chosen not to do so.
The decision from both Sadiq Khan and Croydon Council will likely prove unpopular with residents, 9,000 of whom signed a petition to block the proposal.
Croydon South MP Chris Philp, who represents Purley in Parliament, said: “I am extremely disappointed by Sadiq Khan’s refusal to back the residents of Purley.
“The decision from the Mayor to let the Labour run Council to push this skyscraper through is outrageous.
“The proposed skyscraper is completely inappropriate for a quiet area like Purley. The extra 220 flats will place a massive strain on existing infrastructure and services.
“The proposal fails to provide enough parking spaces – just 37 new spaces for 220 new flats – and will be very much out of place in the local area.
“In pushing this skyscraper Croydon Council – and now Sadiq Khan – have let down Purley residents and shown that they just don’t care about the people already living in the area.”
