Development in the CVRA Area
There has been no inappropriate housing development in the area this year.
Once again this is good news. We have objected to the new fence at Coombe Wood School in Melville as it is too high (2.5m instead of 2m) and makes the site look like a prison.
We have also asked our Councillors to object to the new mast planned for the middle of Croham Road outside the Old Palace Site. Whilst this is permitted development, the rules state that existing sites must be used if close by and there is an existing mast close by in the woods behind Benchfield. The fact that the operator has concerns that they will not be able to convert the existing 3G mast into a 4/4G mast by the cut off of 31 December seems to me to be their problem not ours.
Croydon Council’s Overall Planning Policy
Last year I wrote that Croydon’s housing completions were at 105% of its
target for the first four years of the current planning cycle. Now after 5 years we are at 106% of our target. Overall in London the target is again nowhere near being met. Once again well done Croydon. Obviously these targets have been met by building in the centre of the Borough. However the sub-targets for affordable housing and family homes are not being met.
The Labour Government’s and GLA’s Planning Policies
Mayor Khan is proposing a 70% increase in targets for the next planning cycle starting in 2027. To reach this new target there will be more higher rise buildings, greater density and use of the green belt. The proposal to use green belt land in the 2027 London Plan is the 1st time the London Plan has
explicitly stated that the targets cannot be achieved without the use of green belt. Croydon Council’s response to this consultation is set out in the Croydon Growth Plan 2025. It states that increased targets can be met by building within the town centre, by using brownfield sites and also within the current urban footprint. Specifically the Croydon Growth Plan 2025 states that using green belt land undermines brownfield development.
However my worry is that the only way to get anywhere near our family homes target will be for the next administration of whatever hue to build on
the “lesser value” Greenbelt of which we have some of in our valley.
Old Palace Junior School
Last year I stated that the Whitgift Foundation had assured us that they were not looking to maximise profits on the sale of the site but to find a suitable buyer. I was sceptical that a suitable buyer could be found as I thought the site was too big for a more specialised educational provider such as a special school. Well we now know that the site has been bought by a Hindu Fellowship for the majority of it to be used as a Sunday School. We met with The Fellowship in early Summer. They stated that their plans were to get rid of some of the newer buildings in the middle of the site to create car parking and to retain the older buildings and green space for the school. We are waiting to see their plans. They say they have sufficient funds to properly maintain the buildings However I am concerned that such a prominent site is not being used more.
The Limes Building in Melville at the top of Ballater Road
This building has been let by the Hindu Fellowship to the Maypole School
Group and is now being used as a special school. We worked with the school
over the Summer to help them progress the application for their reasonably
planned security fence through the planning department. They have also
tidied up the site and we are happy to have them as neighbours.
Lloyd Park Bowling Green
The latest Council Plan for the site was to lease it commercially to be used as
Padel Courts. It is admirable for the Council to be trying to maximise revenue from its assets but I can’t see how the noise and flooodlights is compatible with it sitting within the Greenbelt. Owen Williams is continuing to nudge the Council towards the correct outcome.
Heathfield House Earlier this year the Council seemed to be looking to sell off Heathfield House on a long lease. There was an online petition against the sale and the plan was dropped. Given the Council’s need for cash I am not sure it is a bad idea to sell off the building with part of the current gardens appropriate to the size of the buildings, say ⅓ of an acre. This will leave the majority of the land free for public access and let some new owners restore the house back to what it should be.
A thank you to everybody who has helped this year. David is moving out of the area so an especially big thank you to David for all the hard work on planning over many years. You will be missed. If there is anyone interested in helping to continue David’s work please get in contact.
Jeremy Gill 29 October 2025
