The Planning Sub-Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 21 March 2024, and granted planning permission for the construction of a three-bedroom detached dwelling in Coulsdon. The meeting also approved the minutes of the previous meeting and noted the absence of declarations of interest.

Planning Application for Land at the Rear of 394-398 Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon

The committee granted planning permission for the construction of a three-bedroom detached dwelling at Land At The Rear Of 394-398 Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon, CR5 1EF. This decision followed a series of previous applications for the site, with the current proposal representing a significantly revised design.

The application, reference 23/02364/FUL, sought to subdivide the rear gardens of numbers 394 and 398 Coulsdon Road to build a new two-storey detached dwelling. Access to the new property would be from Lacey Avenue, with provision for parking, cycle storage, and refuse storage.

Arguments for Granting Permission:

• Improved Design and Integration: Councillors noted that the scheme had evolved significantly over multiple iterations, with the current proposal demonstrating a reduced height and massing that better integrated with the surrounding suburban character. The design was considered to be in keeping with the area.
• Housing Supply: The development would contribute to the borough's housing targets, providing a much-needed family-sized home.
• Amenity Considerations: While some initial concerns were raised about the proximity to neighbouring properties, the revised design was deemed to have an acceptable relationship with adjacent homes, avoiding undue harm to privacy, light, or outlook. The gap between the proposed dwelling and 1 Lacey Avenue was noted as 3.5 metres, which was considered acceptable.
• Highway and Parking: The applicant had submitted a parking stress survey, which indicated that the loss of on-street parking for the occupants of 394 Coulsdon Road would not lead to significant additional parking stress in the area. The proposed single parking space for the new dwelling was considered acceptable. It was also noted that the existing parking arrangement at 394 Coulsdon Road, using a pedestrian drop curb, was not lawful.
• Developer's Efforts: Councillors acknowledged that the developer had made positive steps to make the scheme more compliant with planning policies.

Arguments Against Granting Permission (and how they were addressed):

• Previous Refusals: The site had seen two previous refusals for similar developments (references 22/03509/FUL and 23/00880/FUL) primarily due to concerns about scale, massing, design, and impact on neighbouring amenities. However, the current application addressed these by reducing the building's height and footprint.
• Tight Distances: While some distances to neighbouring properties were noted as tight, they were considered acceptable within the context of the revised design.
• Unlawful Parking: The existing parking at 394 Coulsdon Road was identified as unlawful, mitigating concerns about the loss of this space.

Decision:

The substantive motion to grant planning permission, based on the officer's recommendation, was proposed by Councillor Lara Fish and seconded by Councillor Humayun Kabir. The motion was carried with six members voting in favour.

The permission is subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure a £1,500 contribution towards sustainable travel improvements. A range of conditions were also imposed, covering aspects such as construction logistics, drainage, landscaping, biodiversity enhancement, fire safety, and the removal of permitted development rights for extensions.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Michael Neal (Chair), Councillor Clive Fraser (Vice-Chair), Councillor Simon Brew, Councillor Lara Fish (Deputy Cabinet Member for Customer Service), and Councillor Humayun Kabir. Apologies were received from Councillor Ian Parker and Councillor Sean Fitzsimons.