Last month, a planning application was submitted to build a 17 floor skyscraper in the centre of Purley on the site with the grey hoardings on Purley Cross.
The owner of the site had wanted to build a much smaller building which included community facilities. However, Croydon Council has made various demands (including a £2m cash payment to the council and a significant social housing component which requires a subsidy) meaning that the only way the scheme is financially viable is to build 17 floors. The council has indicated in Pre-Application hearings that it is minded to approve the planning application for the 17 floor Skyscraper.
I and many other local campaigners (including 7 local residents’ associations) believe that a 17 floor skyscraper is totally out of keeping with a peaceful town like Purley, where the next tallest building is only 5 floors. There is a danger that other developers will in the future try to use this as a precedent to build more skyscrapers in Purley. Finally, there are only 37 parking spaces for 220 flats, which will add to the existing parking problems in Purley.
The site does need redeveloping but a much smaller scheme would be more suitable. Full details of the planning application are on the council website under planning reference 16/02994/P.
Please join me in opposing the skyscraper by doing the following:
1. Sign my online petition at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/StopPurleySkyscraper
Please also forward this link to as many friends and neighbours as you can.
2. Attend a demonstration
Attend a demonstration on the steps of the Town Hall on Katharine Street in Croydon Town Centre at 6pm on Monday 18th July. This coincides with the start of the next full Council Meeting at which Councillors will be considering the Local Plan, which includes provision for a skyscraper in Purley
Please join me in trying to prevent this totally inappropriate skyscraper.
