As I have previously blogged, Purley & Woodcote receives more planning applications than any other ward in Croydon besides Fairfield (the town centre).
Last May, voters across the ward sent a strong message that they were fed up of overdevelopment that as imposed on them by the previous Labour administration.
Since the Conservative administration took control of Croydon, we have seen more refusals both by Council officers and by the Planning Committee which has a Conservative Chair.
I am pleased to update that in the last few weeks, there have been a number of refusals, all of which either myself or my colleague Cllr Simon Brew referred. A referral from a councillor means if Council officers recommend approval, the application will automatically go to the Planning Committee for consideration.
New refusals include:
- 128 Foxley Lane – 16 flats refused on overdevelopment and character grounds as well as impact on trees.
- 20 Purley Rise – 9 flats refused on overdevelopment grounds, neighbour impact and highway concerns. Officers said substandard accommodation was proposed, including inadequate refuse storage, inappropriate cycle storage and fire safety concerns.
- 7 Smitham Bottom Lane – 7 houses refused on overdevelopment and character grounds as well as loss of mature trees and fire safety concerns.
- 20 Woodcote Valley Road – 9 flats refused on character grounds as well as no contribution to sustainable transportation.
Whilst I welcome these refusals, new applications are coming in and I encourage residents to lodge their views. This includes:
- 36A Foxley Lane- 23/00819/FUL - Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a 3-4 storey building including accommodation in the roof space to provide 7 flats with associated bin and bike stores, landscaping and car parking accessed from Plough Lane. The deadline for receiving comments is Wednesday 12th April.
- 55 Selcroft Road - 22/03432/FUL – A retrospective application for the demolition of existing two storey detached property and garage, erection of a two storey plus basement and roof level building, creation of nine self-contained residential dwellings. The deadline for receiving comments is Thursday 13th April.
- 30 Wyvern Road - 23/01063/FUL - Erection of ground floor side and rear extensions, first floor side (gable) and rear (gable) extensions and a rear roof dormer to facilitate the conversion of the dwelling into 4 flats. The deadline for receiving comments is Tuesday 25th April.
- 10 & 12 Smitham Bottom Lane - 23/00379/FUL - Partial demolition and conversion of existing dwellings with erection of two-storey rear extension, additional roof space together with the construction of 2 semi-detached and one detached two storey dwellings with new access drive to the side, vehicular parking to front and rear, hard and soft landscaping, communal/amenity/play space, refuse and cycle storage and boundary treatment. The deadline for receiving comments is Thursday 20th April.
To comment:
- Use the online comments facility following instruction on the online planning register;
- Email dmcomments@croydon.gov.uk;
- Or send a letter to: Development Management, Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery Department, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA.
Please quote the application number in any correspondence.
As your local councillor, I am determined to stand up on behalf of residents and challenge inappropriate applications that constitute overdevelopment and will speak against these planning applications if they go to Committee.
Cllr Samir Dwesar
