Committee Meeting: 1 April 2026

Present:
Owen Williams
Wendy Love
Priscilla Grimsdale
Jeremy Gill
Arati Patel and Jayshree Barot (from BAPS Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal SOUTH LONDON)

  1. We discussed the plans for the ex Old Palace Site. Arati said that they have talken longer to finalise the plans for the site than expected. Arati did say they were planning to build a sports hall for use by local community sports clubs.
  2. Jeremy pointed out that Coombe Wood School makes its sports facilities available to local clubs outside school hours midweek and weekends. Jeremy recommended that Arati and Jayshree go and visit an evening session at the club to see how BAPS can offer a service which fits in with Coombe Wood School.
  3. We discussed the site of the old swimming pool.  The new car park they were building there was considerably larger than the old car park and the CVRA enquired whether planning permission had been obtained from the Council.  Arati said it had and offered to show the approval docs.  We said that was not necessary.
  4. BAPS again  stressed they wanted to work with the wider community. Arati explained that at their other locations they also offer clubs for the elderly.
  5. Jeremy pointed out that the trees at the back of the site needed to be trimmed back to avoid blocking Pilgrims Way
  6. We accepted their offer to go and see how their school in East London worked.  Jeremy Offered to drive.

At that point Arati and Jayshree were thanked for coming  and we continued onto the rest of the meeting

  1. Regarding Planning issues:
  2. We had objected to the extensions of  20 Croham Valley Road as overdevelopment. The planners had subsequently rejected the application
  3. Plans to extend 34,136 and 150 Croham Valley Road were ok.
  4. the plans to convert 9 Croham Valley Road into a HMO were unacceptable as the Council is constantly missing its targets for new family homes and we therefore do not want to lose the ones we have. We would object.
  5. CVRA worked with CARA (Croydon Area Residents Associations) to reply to National Planning Framework specifically regarding the dangers to Green Belt regarding “Grey Belt” and development of areas within walking distance of train or tram stations.
  6. Owen updated us on Lloyd Park issues:
  7. Specifically the plan to use the old bowling green as a tree nursery working with the CPRE Tree Ring Group. The plans looked great and it was agreed we would promote it in our Spring Newsletter.
  8. Wendy updated us on finance issues:
  9. There was £4,665 in the bank.
  10. Wendy will continue to look to reduce banking costs.
  11. Other issues Discussed.
  12. The listing of all resident data was now on the shared drive.
  13. There is vegetation encroaching onto the pavement on the junction of Croham Road, Croham Valley Road and Manor Way.  Jeremy to report.
  14. There are still issues with 11 Chapel View.
  15. Jeremy to write Spring Newsletter
  16. We will consider trying to raise funds for the tree nursery in Lloyd Park