The Planning Sub-Committee of Croydon Council were scheduled to meet on 3 July 2025 to consider planning applications. The meeting was due to consider applications for the demolition of a dwelling and erection of houses at 8 West Hill and a change of use to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 48 Brighton Road.

8 West Hill, South Croydon

The sub-committee were scheduled to consider an application for the demolition of an existing dwelling at 8 West Hill, South Croydon, CR2 0SA and the construction of 5 four-bedroom houses. The plans also included a new vehicular access, on-site car parking, cycle and refuse storage, and landscaping.

The planning officer's report noted that Councillor Lynne Hale and Chris Philp MP had objected to the proposal, raising concerns including that the development would be an overdevelopment of the site, out of keeping with the area, and have inadequate parking arrangements. The Sanderstead Resident's Association also objected to the proposal, raising concerns including overdevelopment, harmful impact on the amenity of 6 West Hill, inadequate refuse collection arrangements, highway safety issues and insufficient on-site parking.

The planning officer's report noted that a previous application for 6 homes on the site had been refused due to the design and massing of the proposed buildings, and site layout and changes in land levels, resulting in an overdevelopment of the site and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area. An appeal against this decision was dismissed on 16 June 2025. The inspector considered the proposal to be highly intrusive due to excessive bulk and massing for the site, and the extent of engineering works to the front to create the parking area. The proposal was also considered overbearing for 6 West Hill.

The planning officer's report stated that the current proposal aimed to address this reason for refusal by proposing a reduced scheme for 5 units with one terraced block of 3 homes in the location of the existing house, and a pair of semi-detached houses on the northern part of the site.

The planning officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure a financial contribution of £7,500 towards sustainable travel improvements.

48 Brighton Road, Purley

The sub-committee were scheduled to consider an application for a change of use from a single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3²) to a 6-bedroom, 9-person HMO (Use Class Sui Generis³) at 48 Brighton Road, Purley, CR8 2LG. No external alterations were proposed.

The planning officer's report noted that Councillor Samir Dwesar had objected to the application and asked for the application be referred to the planning committee, citing reasons including insufficient information, loss of a family home, overconcentration of HMOs in the area, residential amenity, substandard accommodation, no electric vehicle charging points provided and flooding.

The planning officer's report stated that the Purley section of Brighton Road currently contains seven registered HMOs, these being at nos. 50, 137, 206, 211, 214, 918, and 905a Brighton Road.

The planning officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. These included a condition relating to the submission of details of cycle parking and refuse storage, and a condition that the number of bedrooms should not exceed 6 and the number of occupants should not exceed 9 people.