The Planning Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 26 September 2024, to discuss several planning applications. The committee granted planning permission for a retrospective application at 55 Selcroft Road, Purley, CR8 1AJ, for the erection of a nine-unit residential building with associated alterations. The committee also received a presentation on a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Land Accessed From Vulcan Way, BR2 6AR, and noted the weekly planning decisions.

55 Selcroft Road, Purley, CR8 1AJ

The committee granted retrospective planning permission for the demolition of an existing property and garage at 55 Selcroft Road, Purley, CR8 1AJ, and the erection of a two-storey building with a basement and roof level, creating nine self-contained residential dwellings. This decision followed a previous approval for a similar development, with the current application addressing material changes made during construction and proposing further works to ensure acceptability.

Key considerations for the committee included:

• Principle of Development: The development was deemed acceptable as it contributed to the borough's housing supply, including three family-sized homes, and complied with policies regarding small sites and efficient land use.
• Design and Impact on Character: The overall scale and form of the building remained consistent with the previous approval and were considered to be in keeping with the suburban character of the area.
• Quality of Residential Accommodation: The proposed dwellings met space standards, and while three units lacked private amenity space due to the removal of balconies, a communal garden and play area were provided.
• Neighbouring Amenity: The development was not considered to have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring properties in terms of overlooking, loss of light, or overshadowing.
• Trees, Landscaping and Biodiversity: Stringent conditions were imposed to ensure the successful establishment and maintenance of landscaping, including replacement planting and a ten-year maintenance plan, due to previous failures. Retaining walls were to be rendered, and a close-boarded fence at the frontage was to be removed and replaced with alternative boundary treatment.
• Access, Parking and Highway Impacts: An additional parking space was provided, bringing the total to six, which was within the maximum standards. Cycle parking provision was considered adequate, though not fully compliant with layout standards. Electric vehicle charging points were to be installed. Bollards were to be installed to the parking spaces adjacent to Selcroft Road for highway safety.
• Flood Risk and Energy Efficiency: Conditions were imposed to ensure compliance with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) requirements, including the installation of water butts.

The decision to grant permission was made despite some concerns raised by local residents regarding landscaping, bin storage, and the overall impact of external alterations. The committee acknowledged the history of non-compliance but ultimately found the benefits of increased housing provision outweighed the identified issues, subject to the imposed conditions.

Land Accessed From Vulcan Way, BR2 6AR

The committee received a presentation on a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Land Accessed From Vulcan Way, BR2 6AR. This was a pre-application presentation, meaning no decision was made at this meeting. The development, located on land straddling the border between Croydon and Bromley, is intended to supplement the National Grid.

Key points discussed during the presentation and subsequent questions included:

• Land Use Principle: Members sought clarification on the development's role in addressing local energy shortages and the efficiency of the technology. The developer confirmed the intention to charge and discharge energy from the National Grid and noted the land use was considered appropriate given climate change concerns.
• Design and Impact on Character: Members questioned the visibility of the development, the use of matte paint to avoid glare, and the potential for future extensions to the proposed 30-year operational period. A site visit was suggested to better understand the visual impact from Croydon.
• Impact on Neighbouring Amenity: Concerns were raised about the impact of cabling on the substation, noise from construction deliveries, and the proposed £10,000 community contribution. Members suggested the developer engage with local residents to understand their needs.
• Access, Parking and Highway Impacts: The potential impact of construction traffic on the conservation area was discussed.
• Trees and Biodiversity: Members suggested that more intensive tree planting could be beneficial, and concerns were raised about the impact on residents and the Green Belt in Bromley. The impact of construction on ecology and biodiversity was also questioned.
• Fire Safety: Members inquired about coordination with emergency services and consultation with the London Fire Brigade.
• Other Planning Issues: Questions were raised about local business and resident concerns, the need for simultaneous applications to both Croydon and Bromley Councils, contingency plans for application success, and potential employment benefits for local residents.

Councillor Christopher Herman, Shadow Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, provided a view on the pre-application, highlighting concerns regarding safety, security, the potential combustibility of batteries, the adequacy of CCTV for security, the access road, increased traffic on King Henry's Drive, noise pollution, and the need for robust monitoring.

Weekly Planning Decisions

The committee noted the weekly planning decisions, which included a list of delegated and Planning Committee/Sub-Committee decisions taken between 26 August 2024 and 15 September 2024. This report details numerous planning decisions made by officers under delegated powers across various wards within the borough.