The Croydon Planning Sub-Committee met on Thursday 03 September 2026 to discuss development proposals. The committee considered a pre-application for land north of Lansdowne Road.

Land North of Lansdowne Road

The committee received a presentation on proposals for the redevelopment of land north of Lansdowne Road. This was a pre-application discussion, meaning no decision was made at this meeting. The developers, Croydon Gateway Limited Partnership, presented plans for high-quality market sale homes, emphasizing sustainability and the creation of new public realm. Key aspects discussed included the retention of existing trees, the design of two separate buildings (Building A and Building B), the mix of one, two, and three-bedroom homes, and the provision of private and public amenity spaces. Concerns were raised by ward councillors regarding the low percentage of affordable housing and potential congestion. Committee members asked questions about the outlook from lower-level flats, the viability of commercial elements, the greening of the multi-storey car park, and mitigation measures for overlooking and overshadowing. The developers explained their approach to design, sustainability, and community engagement, including plans for public art. The discussion also touched upon the marketing strategy for market sale homes and the potential for community space management.

1A Brighton Road, South Croydon CR2 6EA

Item 6.1, relating to 1A Brighton Road, South Croydon CR2 6EA, was withdrawn from the agenda as the ward council referral that brought the application before the committee had been withdrawn. The application will be determined under delegated powers.

Item 6.2, also relating to 1A Brighton Road, South Croydon, concerned an outline planning application for the erection of a six-storey hotel building. The committee debated the application, with some expressing concerns about the height and scale of the building, its suitability as a hotel in that location, and the potential impact on the Swan and Sugar Loaf heritage site. However, many acknowledged that the scale had been determined by a previous appeal decision, and that hotel use is supported by policy. The decision to grant permission was made with seven votes in favour and one against, subject to conditions and a legal agreement. The application was for scale only, with matters such as access, appearance, landscaping, and layout to be determined at a later stage. The site is located within a local centre and has a high public transport accessibility rating. The proposed scale of the development was noted to be similar to a previously approved residential scheme.

Councillor Danielle Denton spoke in objection, raising serious concerns about flood risk, stating the site is in a level three flood risk zone and that the addition of a basement makes the development unsustainable. She also expressed disappointment regarding the exemption from the mandatory 10% net biodiversity gain and highlighted the loss of potential housing stock.

Officers responded by clarifying that the Environmental Agency had raised no objection to the application, as there would be no sleeping accommodation at ground or basement level. They also noted that a hotel use is comparable in vulnerability to residential use and that a previous inspector had passed the site for residential development after a sequential test. The Local Flood Authority's objection was described as technical rather than principal, and manageable through conditions.

47 Graham Road, Purley CR8 2EN

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of an existing garage and the erection of a detached bungalow with accommodation within the roof space at 47 Graham Road, Purley. The proposal includes associated parking, cycle, and refuse facilities. This decision followed a previous refusal for a larger, two-storey dwelling on the same site. The revised scheme was significantly reduced in scale and repositioned to address previous concerns regarding siting, scale, massing, height, and impact on neighbouring amenity.

Objectors raised concerns about overdevelopment, the impact on the character of the area, loss of privacy and amenity to neighbouring properties, highway safety during construction, and the historical value of the existing building. They also highlighted issues with construction traffic management and the potential for damage to vehicles on the narrow road.

Officers presented the revised plans, emphasizing the reduction in scale and the subservient nature of the proposed bungalow to the host dwelling. They addressed concerns about overlooking and privacy, noting that the proposed rooflights would be angled and that the separation distances were acceptable. Conditions were recommended to manage construction impacts, including the submission of a Construction Logistics Plan. The committee voted to grant permission, with six members voting in favour and none against.