The Croydon Council Planning Sub-Committee met to discuss a single planning application for the subdivision of a garden and the construction of a new dwelling at 17 Convent Hill, Upper Norwood. The committee voted to grant the application, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure a financial contribution towards sustainable travel improvements, after hearing from the presenting officer, a representative speaking in objection, a representative speaking in support, and the referring ward councillor. The committee also approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

Planning Application: 17 Convent Hill, Upper Norwood

The sub-committee considered an application for the subdivision of the garden at 17 Convent Hill to allow for the construction of a new four-bedroom dwelling with access from Beaumont Road, including associated cycle and refuse storage facilities. The committee voted to grant the application, subject to a Section 106 agreement for sustainable transport contributions and several conditions, including the submission of a construction management plan, details of external materials and landscaping, and the removal of permitted development rights for dwelling houses.

Joe Sales, senior planning officer, presented the application, highlighting that the proposal complied with local plan policy DM10, as the existing property would retain sufficient garden space. He also noted that an addendum to the report addressed dormer windows at 63 Bradley Road, which officers had observed during a site visit.

Laura Cawthorne, speaking on behalf of objectors, raised concerns about the development's impact on neighbouring properties, including loss of privacy, light, and views. She requested a reassessment of the light survey, considering the new dormer windows at 63 Bradley Road. Cawthorne also expressed concern that the design was not in keeping with the area's character and that the development could feel oppressive to neighbours.

Charles Betts, the architect for the proposal, spoke in support, stating that the application complied with local policy and reflected local character through the use of brick, render, and tiled roofing. He noted that the design incorporated measures to safeguard the privacy of neighbours, such as obscure glazing and the absence of side-facing windows. Betts also mentioned that the scheme had been shaped through pre-application discussions with the council and proactive consultation with neighbours, resulting in amendments to the access position and boundary details.

Councillor Clare Bonham, the referring ward councillor, expressed concern that the development would set a precedent for overdevelopment and change the area's character. She requested that hedgerows or more trees be included as a condition to ensure proper screening around neighbouring properties.

In response to the speakers, Joe Sales, senior planning officer, clarified that condition 17 sought to remove better development rights², and condition 16 restricted additional side-facing windows. He added that construction noise would be addressed through a construction logistics plan, and the BRE assessment³ had been undertaken in accordance with guidance.

During the committee's deliberation, Councillor Sean Fitzsimons stated that the proposal aligned with the government's support for gentle densification to avoid building on green belt land. He argued that the benefit of providing a family home outweighed the potential harm and that the design was in keeping with the surrounding area. Councillor Lara Fish, Deputy Cabinet Member for Customer Service, expressed mixed feelings but noted that the willingness of all parties to work together was a positive sign. Councillor Clive Fraser acknowledged the loss of openness but emphasised the need for more homes to bring down prices. Other councillors echoed these sentiments, with Councillor Helen Redfern noting that the design had a nod to the local style and that the development would provide a different kind of housing stock.

The committee agreed to include hedge planting in condition five, relating to the submission of landscaping and tree planting details.