Category: Uncategorized

Present:
Wendy Love
Owen Williams
Jeremy Gill
Apologies:
Lizzie Thomas
Priscilla Grimsdale

The 57th AGM of the CVRA 8:00pm 29th October 2025: Agenda

1. To confirm the minutes of the 56th AGM on 9th Oct 2024. (P2)
2. To consider any matters arising.
3. Treasurer’s report and Accounts for 2024/2025. (P6)
4. To elect Honorary Auditor for 2025/2026.
5. Chairman’s report for 2024/2025. (P8)
6. To elect the President and up to 4 Vice Presidents for 2025/ 2026.
7. To elect Chair, Vice Chair, Hon Treas and Hon Sec for 2025/2026.
8. To elect members to serve on the Committee for 2025/2026.
9. Thanks to David Rutherford for all his work.
10. Chris Philp MP sends apologies.
11. Mayor Jason Perry will address the meeting.
12. Any other business.

 

Treasurer’s report to the Annual General Meeting of

Croham Valley Residents’ Association

29th October 2025

Year ending 31st July 2025

In the year ending 31st July 2025 the association brought in income of £1,197.  This consisted of £280 in subscriptions and £917 of donations. This included a donation of £730 from CHASRO.  Expenditure totalled £595. Added to the balance brought forward from 2023-24, of £3,929, this resulted in a cash balance of £4,531 as at 31st July 2025.

Please see the distributed accounts for the year with prior year comparisons. Copies are available at the AGM and on the website; www.cvra.org.uk.  If you would like a copy sent to you please request one by emailing cvra@gmx.com . 

2024-2025

Subscriptions for 2024/25 are, unfortunately, still low. Every dwelling in the area has been asked to remit the small subscription of £4 by electronic means, such as BGC or standing order, and although some have done this many have not. It appears that some members do not have access to online banking but in most cases paying the subs to us is not a priority and is simply forgotten and some prefer to pay cash. The transition is difficult, but we will continue to persevere with collections and circulate information to all members who have signed up with their email addresses. We will continue to call on all dwellings in our area to ensure that all those who wish to subscribe have the opportunity to do so. We have had difficulty recovering from the effect of the Corona Virus epidemic, COVID19, aggravated by the loss of key members of the committee and our distributors. Without our band of dedicated collectors we have not been able to collect the annual subscriptions, but I proffer my sincere thanks to the residents who have paid by bank transfer or dropped the funds through my door this year. 

We are still looking for help to effectively implement the new electronic system to collect subscriptions and distribute news. If you can help in any way, please contact me on 07834 957391.

Our intense planning work, driven by David Rutherford, has not stopped and the News sheets, with updates, are available on-line from our website and are emailed to all those who have provided an email address. Unfortunately David is moving and will no longer be able to provide this excellent service. If you are able to help take over this service please speak to Jeremy.

Expenditure remains low due to the lack of face-to-face activities and we have tried to ensure that all costs have been kept to a minimum. Unfortunately the IT subsidies we enjoyed in the past through Mahesh have now ceased and have resulted in the higher IT costs this year. However we are hopeful that in 2025-26 we will be able to, with your help, recruit new committee members and volunteers to reinvigorate the work of this residents’ association.

As you can see, we have a healthy bank balance, are able to function happily at the current level and have some funds available to invest in new activities. 

Thanks. The Executive Committee have asked me to express their sincere thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers including Peter Kight for auditing our accounts. I trust it was not too arduous and that Peter will continue in the role for some time to come.

I would also like to add a special thank you to David Rutherford for his many years of support and wish him and Mary-Lynne all the best in their new home. 

Wendy A Love FCCA

Hon. Treasurer

Treasurer.cvra@gmx.com

 

Description:

Erection of two storey side/rear extensions, front porch extension, extension to existing roof including roof lights and dormer to rear elevation in connection with conversion of resultant roof space to habitable accommodation.

 

Look at Documents and send comments Here:
Planning Department Link:

 

CVRA Comments

Whilst we do not normally object where local families are looking to extend their properties, at over 700 square meters this is a large overdevelopment of the site which due to its bulk and mass that will create an overbearing incompatible building compared to the surrounding houses.  It fails to integrate into the neighbourhood, causing significant harm to the appearance of the site, the surrounding area and the street scene.

We believe this proposal is similar to others that have been refused by the Council with the following wording:

“”The proposed extension, by reason of its depth, width and overall design and its combined nature, would result in a dominant, incongruous, overbearing, visually intrusive and excessive form of development that would substantially harm the form, proportion and appearance of the property, character and appearance of the area and visual amenities of the streetscene. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Polices 7.4 and 7.6 of the London Plan 2016, Policies D1 and D2 of the Draft London Plan 2018, Policies SP4 and DM10 of the Croydon Local Plan 2018…….””

At less than  1.5m to the edge of the plots we believe the side extensions are too close to the boundaries on either side.

The front of the proposed extension appears to be in front of the existing building line.

There appears no evidence of the 45% rear extension check blocking light check.

 

Please help protect your Croham Valley area from these Developers; it’s important that you Object to this particular Planning Application because of the risk of establishing a dangerous precedent, the strength of local opinion does count in many cases, as has been seen recently.

Thanks & best regards,

On behalf of the Croham Valley Residents’ Association,

Jeremy Gill, CVRA Committee Member

Responsible for Planning Related Matters

Croham Valley Residents’ Association

 

David Rutherford
2 Ballards Rise
South Croydon, CR2 7JT
Tel: 020 8657 8787 / 07768 642432
Email: dr@davidrutherford.plus.com
7th March 2024

 

Dear Fellow Resident,

Re: Planning Application No. 24/00648/FUL – 78 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 5RA; Demolition of Existing Dwelling and Erection of a 3 Storey Building (facing Coombe Road) with a 2 Storey Rear Element (facing Croham Park Avenue) Containing 8 Flats (7 Two Bedroom and 1 Three Bedroom) with a Total of 4 Off Road Parking Spaces.

To view all documents in connection with this application, go to the following link entering the application number in the search box:

https://publicaccess3.croydon.gov.uk/online-applications/

I’m advising you of a new Planning Application as detailed above which has been submitted by Oasis CP Projects Ltd. 

A good number of your fellow residents will be objecting to this new Application, as will your Residents’ Association and hopefully one of our local Councillors will raise a referral.

 

However, it also needs other residents to do the same, I would add that you do not have to be one of the directly affected residents to Object to this Planning Application and that you only need to write a few lines or take one of the points listed below to Object to this application.  Also, every member of a household age 18 and over can separately Object to the same Planning Application.

You can object to this Planning Application in 3 different ways as follows:

Online: Using the link above after entering the application number, on the page under Make a Public Comment you object together with your reasons / comments etc

By Email: dmcomments@croydon.gov.uk or development.management@croydon.gov.uk

By Letter: Development Management, Place Dept, London Borough of Croydon, 6th Floor, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA

Letters and emails should be marked for the attention of Jeni Cowan who is the case officer.

The deadline for the Council to receive objections to this application is the 22nd March 2024.

This new Planning Application can be Objected to on the following basis:

1. This is a large overdevelopment of the site due to its bulk and mass that will create overbearing incompatible building of 8 flats that fails to integrate into the neighbourhood, causing significant harm to the appearance of the site, the surrounding area and the street scene.
2. The proposed development fails to respect the local development pattern, layout, siting and dominates the plot with it towering above 78a Coombe Road and being in close proximity to 54 Croham Park Avenue.
3. The proposed residential unit mix fails to provide sufficient level of family residential accommodation i.e. three bedrooms or more. Only 1 of the 8 units has 3 bedrooms, which amounts to 12.5%, and therefore well below the target of 30% set out in SP2.7 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018).
4. This proposed development will add an additional 17 bedrooms and potentially 33 persons, there’s a total lack of consideration of the impact on the local infrastructure: e.g. Schools, GP Surgeries and Drainage etc.
5. This proposed development has a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) rating of 2 which means the parking provision is not adequate for the site.  The proposed off road parking provision of 4 is totally inadequate and will mean that overspill parking on Croham Park Avenue and Binfield Road.  Also, there’s the potential that some of these flats will have more than one car and this together with the lack of any visitor parking bays just adds to the parking issue.  At an absolute minimum there should be 1 off road parking bay per flat with one of these being a wider disabled parking bay.
6. Further on the issue of off road parking spaces, the nearby developed site at 86 Coombe Road on the corner of Castlemaine Avenue of 8 flats that was completed in 2016 has 8 off road parking spaces which is what this proposed development at 78 Coombe Road  should have.
7. A number of existing properties surrounding the proposed development in Coombe Road and Croham Park Avenue will suffer loss of privacy and visual intrusion to varying extents due to overlooking.
8. It’s unacceptable that there are no solar panels are being installed on the building.

Please help protect your Croham Valley area from these Developers; it’s important that you Object to this particular Planning Application because of the risk of establishing a dangerous precedent, the strength of local opinion does count in many cases, as has been seen recently.

If I don’t already have your email address, please kindly provide it, as it will make future communications much easier for me, also if you would like me to send you this document electronically in order that you can cut and paste any of the information, just email me.

Thanks & best regards,

On behalf of the Croham Valley Residents’ Association,

David Rutherford, CVRA Committee Member

Responsible for Planning Related Matters

CC: CVRA Committee Members

 

 

The Mayor spoke and answered questions for over one hour. Thank you Jason

 

The Mayor talked about plans for the centre of Croydon. The three upcoming  initiatives are:

To complete the kiosks around Allders, with one concession opening this weekend;

For the developers (URW) to put in a planning application to upgrade the Centrale Shopping Centre;

The £40milllion enhancement of North End.  Initiatives include the new Wellesley Road crossing, better lighting and greening  of Dingwall Road, George Street and North End. The enhancement is also to include improvements to Surrey Street.

 

This third initiative is a precursor to URW submitting the planning application for their master plan for the old Whitgift Centre.  The Mayor was disappointed with the continuing delays in URW’s proposals and even more disappointed in their lack of publicising how their plans are developing. However he was confident the plan would be presented some time in 2026

The Mayor stated that the centre is still a popular and safe destination and still had some of the largest footfall numbers in the country. He suggested we should take pride in our town centre and go and visit.  There was agreement that we should use the centre more frequently.

Regarding planning the Mayor was congratulated on again exceeding Croydon’s housebuilding targets. One of the few Councils to do so.  However there was concern that the family homes (3 bedrooms+) segment of the target is not being met and as a result there will be pressure to build on the green belt. The Mayor was clear that the family homes target could be managed either by 3 bed flats in town centre blocks of flats or infill development of town houses rather than infill flats and quoted Whitgift Heights, a block of 6 new town houses replacing one older house in Haling Park Road. It was agreed that infill town houses  were preferred.

The Mayor took questions from the floor.

The greening of Dingwall Road, George Street and North End was welcomed.  The Mayor was asked whether the existing trees in George Street would be retained and whether the greening could be extended to around the Fairfield Halls.  The answers were yes and the Fairfield Halls area would be looked at.

There were complaints of speeding the Croham Valley Road and Ballards Way and complaints about the lack of yellow lines on these roads. There were complaints about cars turning right into Coombe Lane from Castlemaine Avenue.  There were also complaints about excessively noisy cars. The Mayor advised that first port of call were the PCSO team. The Chairman said he would contact them. Second level follow up would be to request a speeding visor (a roadside display showing your cars speed) but the Mayor questioned their usefulness in deterring some drivers.

There were comments that in Spencer Road there was a private HMO with a mix off tenants with children including council tenants and asylum seekers and there were not sufficient facilities for them all. The Mayor replied that it might not have been Croydon Council who put them there as other councils will place people out of borough. Irrespective of the source, Croydon is (has) introducing a licencing schemes for HMOs in order to ensure appropriate and safe accommodation.

There was a question regarding derelict land, specifically the Brighton Road site.  The Mayor they cannot make any landlord develop but are working with them to try to speed up the process.

The Mayor was asked about the future of Heathfield House. He thought that a solution was a commercial let with a small but sufficient parcel of land to make the let attractive and without a large security fence around it. He pointed out that the house itself had never been available to the public so a let would not really change the status quo significantly. There was general approval for this idea.

There was concern over the state of the buildings in the centre of Lloyd Park. The Mayor noted this and said they were working with the owner.

There was comment on the increased acceptance of marijuana being smoked in public given it was still illegal. The Mayor said that he is working with Croydon’s police commissioner to disrupt drug dealing in the centre of Croydon.  However there efforts a hampered by the fact that Croydon has fewer police officers  per head of population than most boroughs. Councillor Denton pointed out that you can phone the PCSO anytime to notify of illegal or antisocial behaviour and as they are often on their rounds they might be close by. The PCOS contact is Carla Sava on 07860 368 075.

The number of and excessive speed of some delivery drivers especially in the centre of town was commented on especially outside Nandos.  The Mayor replied that, they were working with the management of the delivery companies to reduce speed and congestion and in the medium term are deciding whether to change the street and pavement layouts to “design them in” or  “design them out”.

The Mayor was thanked for his time and thoughtful answers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Croydon Planning – Changes Since the Planning Committees Controlled by the Conservatives

 

Since the local elections on the 5th May 2022 across the South of the Borough there have been 211 planning applications up for decision that have been submitted by developers where the proposal was for the demolition of detached properties to be replaced with up to 9 flats or a mixture of up to 9 units of both flats and houses.  Of these 211 applications 148 applications have been refused planning approval under either the Council’s Delegated Authority or at Planning Committee meetings, with another 14 applications having been withdrawn and only 49 applications being approved.

 

Further there are currently 19 new planning applications submitted by developers for the demolition of detached properties across the South of the Borough which have not yet been determined with 13 applications for houses, 0 applications for a mixture of both flats and houses and only 6 applications for flats.

 

Suburban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document SPD2

 

Following Labour’s removal from power in Croydon in May, the new Conservative administration has been delivering on their planning promises.  The hated Suburban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document SPD2, a developers’ charter, has now been scrapped.  Planning decisions are now being properly made after careful examination, instead of simply being waved through by Labour Councillors with no proper thought.

 

CVRA Local Planning Application Website

 

As previously mentioned, the above-mentioned application is live and covers all roads and post codes in your Association’s area, it’s available for use by all CVRA residents free of charge.  The application is updated weekly with all new and currently outstanding planning application information, as well as having multiple search capability of planning history.  Also, if you want to register your email address within the application, you’ll be advised weekly when the Planning Table has been updated, together with a direct link into the application.

 

The application can be accessed directly from the following web link:

 

http://www.localplanningapps.co.uk/croydon/cvra/anupdate/planningtable.html

 

Planning Area A

 

The Croft, 3 Binfield Road

 

This planning application is for the demolition of the existing bungalow and replacing it with a pair of semi-detached houses, one a 5 bedroom the other a 3 bedroom, which was Approved under Planning Dept delegated authority on the 10th July 2020.  In September 2021 a Section 73 notice was submitted to change the approved plans by removing the inset balconies and amending the forecourt layout and other minor changes, this was approved on the 6th July2022.  There are currently hoardings up on the site.

 

The Croft, 3 Binfield Road

 

This new planning application is an alternative to the above-mentioned application which is already approved but no work has commenced and is for a full width rear extension (19.2 Metres) by 5.3 metres in depth.  The proposal has been approved on the 28th February 2023 under General Permitted Development.  There are currently hoardings up on the site.

 

15A Campden Road

 

This planning application is for the development of the land beside 15 Campden Road which has been vacant for a good number of years, although in March 2017 there was a planning approval granted for 5 flats which has now lapsed but did establish a presumption of development on the site.  The new proposal is also for 5 flats with 2 parking spaces and as expected this Planning Application was Approved under Planning Dept delegated authority on the 7th August 2020.   A couple of discharge notices were approved back in the 4th August 2021 and 21st January 2022 but nothing has happened since and in all probability approvals will have lapsed.

 

20 Campden Road

 

This new Planning Application has been submitted to change this 8 bedroom property into an HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) for up to 16 persons.

 

78A Coombe Road

 

This new Planning Application has been submitted by Flexistay Ltd to demolish the existing house and replace it with a 3 storey Aparthotel of 12 units.  Further the recent refused planning application at the next door property at 78 Coombe Road to demolish the house and replace it with a building of 8 flats submitted by Oasis CP Projects Ltd, this company shares at least one common directorship with Flexistay Ltd.  There have been 35 local resident objections to this application with your Residents’ Association also objecting and one of our local Councillors has raised a referral.  The good news is that this application was refused by Development Management under its delegated authority on the 22nd October 2024.  However, with both this site and the next door property at 78 Coombe Road where there’s related ownership, I’m sure we have not heard the last of further planning applications on these sites.

 

80 Croham Road

 

This planning application is for the demolition of the existing house and the erection of two buildings, one of 6 flats with 3 parking bays the other for a terrace of 3 houses with 3 parking bays which by virtue of its bulk, mass and poor design will create an overbearing incompatible development.  This follows the withdrawal of an earlier application for 2 buildings comprising of a total of 9 flats.  The owner of this property has already paid for Planning Pre-Application advice from the Planning Department.  This application went before the Planning Committee on the 22nd April 2021 at which it was approved.  There’re Whitgift Educational Foundation Restrictive Covenants on this property.  Also, the site has gone up for sale with Foxtons for £2.5 million.  I’ve drafted letters for the surrounding residents to send to both the owner of 80 Croham Road and Foxtons, these letters put both parties on notice of the Restrictive Covenants, also reserving the right to take necessary further measures to protect their interests in this connection.  Subsequently the property was then being marketed with Appleton Estates at the reduced figure of £1.8 million and was initially under offer.  Again, a number of nearby residents have sent similar letters to those mentioned earlier.  Property listed again with Appleton Estates at a reduced figure of £1.6 million and is now under offer.  This latest offer appears to have fallen through as the site is now being listed for sale with Connect UK at a reduced guide price of £1.2 million and is now subsequently Sold STC.  The agent on behalf of Alim Properties submitted a Construction Logistics Plan (CLP) on the 16th May 2022 which has been subsequently been refused under the Planning Dept delegated authority as it was not satisfactory in a number of aspects.  Since the refusal of the CLP on 7th July 2022 nothing has happened with regard to the site and the original approval will have now lapsed.

 

Melville Avenue, Old Palace of John Whitgift School

 

In last year’s newsletter we relayed our discussion with Helen Gough Director of Property at the Whitgift Foundation (WF). We discussed our concerns and pointed out the 1905 covenants on the site restricting extensive development. She said our concerns would be passed onto any potential buyers of the site and she was sure they would want to get in contact in due course.
The site has been bought by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha a Hindu denomination within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The organisation behind the Neasden Temple and will be used as a Sunday school. The new owners wanted a large site so the children attending the Sunday School can play outside as well as learn. This use is consistent with its classification as a site for learning. There is no intention to use the site for regular worship.
The Fellowship said there would be about 100 children each Sunday at the Sunday school and about the same number of parents. The Fellowship also run a school in Chigwell. This will be their second school in London. They are looking for the site to be used by the local community on a non-commercial basis as much as possible with the caveat that any visitors must respect their views and practices relating to alcohol and diet. This seems very reasonable. Overall we were very happy with their initial plans. There will be a follow up meeting in about six months when they have progressed their plans. The Fellowship pointed out that the Whitgift Foundation spent a considerable amount of time vetting them during the sale process. We thank the Foundation for finding such suitable new owners.

 

Maypole Special School in the Limes Building in Melville Avenue

The Maypole School organisation run schools for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. They have signed a 20 year lease on The Limes site in Melville Avenue from the Hindu Fellowship. They have been busy renovating the site to start teaching in the Autumn. This will be their third school and will teach about 50 pupils.
We have met with representatives from the school and are again happy with our new neighbours. We are especially happy for the buildings at The Limes to have been cleaned up and so look cared for again.

 

7 Spencer Road

 

This new planning application is for a proposed building of a single storey 3 bedroom property on this site which is a back garden development being behind 7 and 9 Spencer Road which is currently used as the off road parking area for these residents.  This proposal will create an incompatible cramped development that fails to integrate into the neighbourhood causing significate harm to the appearance of the site, the street scene and the surrounding area, particularly because of its unacceptable flat roof design.

 

The proposed development of most of the rear parking area behind 7 and 9 Spencer Road will result in the loss of up to 8 of the off road parking spaces for the current residents of the 10 flats at 7 and 9 Spencer Road, having the effect of forcing up to 8 more vehicles to park on the already very limited controlled parking spaces on Spencer Road, which is totally unacceptable.

 

There have been 46 resident Objections plus a Councillor Referral.

 

Planning Area B

 

Coombe Lane, Royal Russell School

 

This new planning application is for the demolition of existing Junior School with the erection of replacement Junior School including Multi-Use Games Area, sports pitch, play and landscaped areas, access and plant, and other associated works.  This application was approved 20th June 2024.  Work has now commenced on the site.

 

5 Croham Valley Road

 

Planning approval was granted on the 27th February 2020 at the Planning Committee meeting for the demolition of the existing house and the erection two blocks of 3 houses with accommodation in the roof spaces.  One block will front on to Croham Valley Road being 4 floors 4 bedroom houses with only 2 parking bays, the other block will front on to Ballards Farm Road being 3 floors 3 bedroom houses with 2 parking bays.  Construction of the shell of the terrace of houses fronting on to Ballards Farm Road is complete with the terrace of house fronting on to Croham Valley Road having the shell of the houses almost completed for a 3 storey building.

 

At the same time Sterling Rose continue to try to change the design of the 3 houses fronting Croham Valley Road from 4 floors to 3 floor houses and a changed layout and to what we consider to be a better appearance but have not been successful in obtaining approval up to now and are on their third attempt of trying to get the change approved as a non material change which of course it isn’t.

 

The latest supposed non material change was refused on the 17th September 2021 which will give Sterling Rose a major problem as they’ve completed construction is based upon a 3 storey building of a different design and not the 4 storey building that was approved.  This has the potential to be another 54 Arkwright Road situation – see later entry under CARA.  As a result of asking Planning Enforcement to look into this, they’ve advised that Sterling Rose will now have to submit a new planning application to try to get retrospective planning approval, which has now been submitted under a Section 73a Minor Material Amendment (Retrospective), plus they also want to remove the planning approval condition of yellow lines on this part of Croham Valley Road as they’re only permitted to have two parking spaces.  There have been 26 objections including the CVRA and a Councillor referral to this retrospective application.

 

This retrospective planning application has on the 14th August 2025 been entered in the official register as Not Determined.

 

Land R/O 35 and 37 Croham Valley Road – Fronting on to Ballards Rise

 

The above-mentioned outline planning application that’s currently pending approval; however, the developer Silverleaf has also submitted another new outline planning application on the very same site for the erection of 2 two storey buildings with accommodation in the roof spaces comprising of a total of 4 large semi-detached houses with the provision of 6 parking spaces.  The alternative proposal is almost the same size as the one for 8 flats and will add 15 bedrooms and potentially 24 persons, the same objection reasons apply equally to this alternative new application.  More details as regards the Restrictive Covenants are in the prior item above.

 

This application went before the Planning Sub-Committee on the 11th August 2022 and was refused permission with three Labour Councillors voting in favour of approval and three Conservative Councillors voting against approval with the Conservative Chair using his Casting vote to refuse.  I spoke as an Objector in person at the meeting on behalf of the CVRA and the local residents, as did our ward Councillor Michael Neal.  The developer Silverleaf has on the 28th October 2022 lodged an Appeal against refusal of the planning permission, which has subsequently been validated in December 2022; this appeal will now be decided upon by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol.  The Appeal is now in progress.  Unfortunately, the Appeal was allowed on the 23rd August 2023.  However, on both the land at 35 and 37 Croham Valley Road there are the Walton Heath Land Company Limited Restrictive Covenants that restrict the land to not more than one dwellinghouse.  The validity of the Walton Heath Land Company Limited Restrictive Covenants and the class of neighbours entitled to benefit from it was tested in the Court Case Whitgift Homes Ltd & Ors v Pauline Stocks & Ors where similar Restrictive Covenants was upheld which legally prevented development on the land at 14 and 16 Ruffetts Close.  The developer has now submitted on the 15th October 2024 an application for a Non-Material amendment to the original approval which for each the 4 semi-detached houses will increase the number of bedrooms in each house from 4 to 5, although the footprint of the houses will remain the same.  This Non Material amendment was refused by the Planning Dept on the 30th October 2024.  The developer has now submitted on the 18th November 2024 under a Variation of Condition 4 (Approved Drawings) to increase the number of bedrooms in each house from 4 to 5, although the footprint of the houses will remain the same.  Subsequently this was approved on the 13th January 2025.

 

Nearby residents have been advised by Featherstone Homes Ltd the new owners of the site that work will be commencing on the 17th February 2025 to initially clear the site, although the CLP (Construction Logistics Plan) which the developer is calling a Construction Method Statement which was only submitted on the 21st February 2025 and is still pending approval but now approved.  A number of other Discharge Condition Notices have submitted and approved.  The site has been excavated out and prepared in readiness for construction.  Construction is now well underway with walls mostly up to the top of the ground floors completed.

 

Croham Valley Road – Lower Part Where There’s Been All the Construction

 

Numerous residents have complained about blocking of the road with all the construction workers vehicles being parked on both sides of the road – some residents want double yellow line along the whole road, other have complained to our Councillors.  Although all construction is complete there are now a good number of cars now parking on both sides of the road causing obstruction, particularly in the rush hour.  This year there have been a number of serious accidents at this location which have been brought to the attention of the Council.  However, we now understand that the Highways Dept do not consider it necessary to install yellow lines but they keep these decisions under review.

 

In spite of Michael Somers’s no longer being on the CVRA Committee he has continued to actively follow up on this issue, engaging with the Croydon East MP Natasha Iron who in turn has spoken with the Council such that there now seems to be some progress in getting the Highways Dept to reconsider installing single yellow lines from 7am to 7pm.

 

Planning Area C

 

Nothing to Report

 

Planning Other

 

Restrictive Covenants

 

The following properties have either planning approval but not yet developed or have pending planning applications that are awaiting decision or are being prepared for the submission of planning applications.  All of these properties have Restrictive Covenants that restrict the sites to either only having one dwelling either detached or semi-detached and if enforced could potentially stop the sites being developed.  However restrictive covenants are a complicated legal business and can only be enforced by properties under the Touch and Concern rule (nearby but don’t have to necessarily physically adjoin) unless it can be proved that it was a Building Scheme.  Also taking legal action to enforce covenants can be expensive plus there’s always the risk that a developer might appeal the decision which would further add to the costs.  A potential cheaper alternative is to take out an Injunction to enforce the Restrictive Covenant.  Meanwhile we’re letting affected residents write to the developers making them aware of the Restrictive Covenants, reserving the right taking further action if they’re going to proceed with the development in the hope they will walk away.  Jeremy has investigated using the legal cover one has with many household insurance policies, the indication from his insurer was positive but one would need to be certain if one was to go down this route:

 

• 80 Croham Road Whitgift Educational Foundation
• 35 Croham Valley Road The Walton Heath Land Company Ltd
• 37 Croham Valley Road The Walton Heath Land Company Ltd
• Melville Avenue, Old Palace of John Whitgift School Donald Young

 

Croydon Alliance of Residents’ Associations (CARA)

The Croydon Alliance of Residents’ Associations (CARA) was set up three years ago and have held a number of Zoom Meetings which has been very useful with sharing information with a number of interesting things coming out these meetings and subsequent email exchanges across the Group, the latest exchanges being mainly about Purley Pool / Purley Leisure Centre redevelopment.

 

Croydon Local Plan 

The Croydon Local Plan which was originally due to be adopted in 2022 has become a June 2024 Revision to the Croydon Local Plan 2018.

 

Present:
Wendy Love
Priscilla Grimsdale
David Rutherford
Owen Williams
Jeremy Gill
Apologies:
Lizzie Thomas

1: David presented his planning report. The trend of few applications for house demolition and flat building continues. Also the trend for those applications that are submitted being rejected continues.

2: Jeremy undated the committee on  the Hindu Fellowship and The Maypole School activities  in Melville Avenue. Generally we are happy with these two new neighbours.

3: Regarding Heathfield House we feel that granting a long lease just on the main building and its immediate surrounds is not a good use of the site.  However we have no new information on any sale of lease of the building.

4: Jeremy presented his report of the overall planning policy.  The next iteration of the  London Plan comes into effect in 2027.  The proposal is to increase the London target from 52,287 units to 88,000 units per annum, an increase of 68%. This iteration talks about building on some London Green Belt with low amenity values and good transport links to achieve this higher target.  Whilst Croydon is one of the few boroughs to currently achieve its existing overall target and is confident it can achieve higher levels of building going forward, it is only building half of the family homes it should be building under the current plan. It is therefore even less likely that it could achieve a higher target of family housing without considering some kind of Green Belt use. There are some golf courses with good transport links in the South Croydon area!  It was felt that all our other protected green spaces were safe.

5: Regarding roads. Jeremy would email the council regarding progress on putting yellow lines in Croham Road around the golf course.

6: Covenants. No new issues regarding covenants.

7: Wendy reported we had £4,591 in the bank.

8: Priscilla gave an update on the meeting at Croham Hurst Golf Club on how they could be more environmentally aware. More details to follow.

9: AGM will be on the 29th October. Wendy has booked the hall. David has checked there are no Council meetings on this date. Jeremy to ask the  councillors and MP to attend.

10: The Summer Newsletter is almost ready. Jeremy to finalise by end of month.

11: CILs are expected to bring in over £112m to Croydon Council over the next 5 years. Jeremy to consider further.

12: Lloyd Park update. Owen confirmed that the AGM on the 29th does not conflict with the FOLP AGM. In addition there was no further update on the potential change of the bowling green to a Padel Centre. Owen   indicated that the council official dealing with this issue had left.

13: Anwar Ansari is appealing his sentence for owning dangerous dogs.  The dogs in that particular case have been put down.

14: David to provide some words regarding the late Michael McDermott ex Chairman of the CVRA.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9th October 2023 at St Pauls Church Hall

The meeting commenced at 8.p.m.

The meeting was initiated by the Chairman Jeremy Gill

Our local MP, Chris Philp attended . The President of the Association, Mr Jaffer A. Kapasi OBE FFA , Councillors Danielle Denton, Michael Neal , Maria Gatland  and Mayor Perry sent their apologies

Committee officers present:

David Rutherford
Jeremy Gill
Jaffer Kapasi
Wendy Love
Michael Somers
Elizabeth Thomas
Shalin Shah

Minutes 

The minutes of the A.G.M. held on Wednesday 25th October 2023 were approved and adopted as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Treasurer’s Report 

The honorary treasurer, Wendy Love, presented her report with the Statement of Accounts for 2023/2024 duly audited and signed. Copies were distributed to those present and they are available on cvra.org.uk Wendy’s report was approved and she was thanked for her work.  The Chairman pointed out that Wendy puts in more work for the association than any other officer and it was appreciated.

Election of Honorary Auditor for 2024/2025

Mr Peter Knight was elected.  Mr Gill proposed his appointment, which was seconded by Mr Rutherford.

Chair’s Report for 2023/2024

The Chairman updated the meeting. Please see cvra.org.uk for Chairman’s Report

Mr. Gill’s report was approved.

Election of the President of the Association and up to 4 vice-presidents for 2024/2025

Mr Jaffer A. Kapasi OBE FFA was proposed and seconded as President for 2024/2025 and the meeting approved his appointment.

Election of offices of the Association for 2024/2025

Mr. Jeremy Gill being the only nominee was proposed and seconded as Chair for 2024/2025.

There was no nominee for the office of Vice-Chair.  It therefore remains vacant.

Mrs. Wendy Love being the only nominee was proposed and seconded as Honorary Treasurer for 2024/2025.

There was no nominee for the office of Honorary secretary.  It therefore remains vacant.

Election of (no more than 9) executive committee members of the Association for 2022/2023

David Rutherford, Shalin Shah, Elizabeth Thomas and Michael Somers were the only nominees. Therefore, all four were proposed and seconded as committee members for 2023/2024.

There was no other business so Mr Gill thanked the meeting for their attendance and input. Thanking those present for attending and sharing their concerns the Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 9.30pm.

Sara Pevsner and Michael Somers were standing down. They were thanked for their work.

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Address by Chris Philp MP

Chris talked about the 4 Ps and 2 Cs

Policing
Chris was proud that the offender facial recognition system first rolled out in Croydon has now expanded nationally. He indicated that there is evidence offenders avoid Croydon to avoided being recognised and detained

Chris is working with the police to counter phone theft particularly from children in specific areas eg South Croydon Station. More police on the streets is the answer

An Eastern European gang has just been arrested for wholesale catalytic converter theft which should bring the incidences of this theft down.

Planning
Chris and Mayor Perry continue to reject applications fir the demolition of family homes to build flats.

Purley Pool
The planning application of the development of Purley Pool should be assessed by the Council later this year. The application does not contain as much parking as Chris would like but its the most Mayor Khan will allow under the current regulations for a site with such high levels of public transport infrastructure.

Purley Hospital
Services are increasing. It now contains a community diagnostic centre. It needs to be used.

Coulsdon Non-Profit banking centre
As there are no banks left in Coulsdon, Chris is working to set up one of the above. This will be one of 50 sponsored by the Government in the country.

Coulsdon Medical Centre
Chris is working to replace the old Cavat Classrooms with a Medical Centre

Chris answered the following questions

 

Q1     Will any of the old regime face any criminal convictions for the bankruptcy of Croydon Council
A1     Chris believes the four main individuals in charge were the Chief Executive, the Financial Director, the Head of Council and the Councillor for Finance. A file has been handed over to the police to see whether there is a possibility for Malfeasance in Public Office. But it is a high bar to cross.

Q2   Are the flats in the Centre of Croydon full!
A2  As far as Chris was aware they are full.

Q3  When will the old Nestle building be completed.
A3  Unfortunately it is owned by a Chinese developer who is having financing problems. Similar for the old Georges Walk Site.

Q4  Will the Purley Pool and Leisure Centre be self financing after completion.
A4 Yes experience from the existing leisure centers show they break even.

Q5  What about the Whitgift Centre development.
A6  It is hoped there will be a planning application early in 2025

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There were additional questions from the floor

Q1  Can we encourage the Old Whits to manage their conifers?

Q3 Can we try to encourage the council to standardise the road markings along our roads? Some end too close to the intersections

Q4  It was felt there was too much speeding on the Avenues and Campden Road. Can we investigate?

Q5  The park of Lloyd Park used as parking for the tram upgrade work was left in a poor state.  Can we investigate?