The Planning Sub-Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 30 April 2026, to discuss several planning applications. The committee granted permission for the development at Trinity School, Addiscombe Road, Croydon, which will involve the demolition of staff accommodation and a maintenance store to erect two new three-storey buildings. The committee also granted permission for alterations and extensions at 24 Churchill, Purley, to create two additional residential units, allowing the property to be split into five units in total. However, the committee refused the application for development at 13 Harewood Road, South Croydon, citing overdevelopment, design and layout concerns, and safety issues related to the internal site layout.

Trinity School, Addiscombe Road, Croydon

The committee granted planning permission for a phased development at Trinity School, which includes the demolition of four staff accommodation dwellings and a maintenance store, and the erection of two interlinked three-storey buildings. One building will house a fitness suite with teaching facilities above, and the other will be a sixth-form building. The development aims to increase student capacity and facilitate the school becoming fully co-educational by 2031.

Concerns were raised by Councillor Sean Fitzsimons and Councillor Clive Fraser regarding the travel plan and the accuracy of student modal split targets, with Councillor Fitzsimons stating he would not be able to support the application if the travel plan was flawed. Officers acknowledged a potential error in the figures but confirmed the travel plan is part of the Section 106 agreement and will be monitored.

Residents, represented by Jay Gordon, raised concerns about overlooking from the new buildings, increased noise and emissions from traffic, and light disturbance. Councillor Jason Cummings, the referring ward councillor, echoed these concerns and requested specific mitigations, including opaque film on windows and directed lighting. Officers stated that the separation distances were well in excess of policy requirements and that lighting would be controlled by conditions.

Despite some reservations about the travel plan and overlooking, the committee voted to grant permission, with Councillor Helen Redfern proposing and Councillor Mohammed Islam seconding the motion.

13 Harewood Road, South Croydon

The committee refused planning permission for the erection of a three-storey block of flats and two detached houses at 13 Harewood Road. The decision was made after extensive deliberation and a tied vote, with the Chair casting the deciding vote against the application.

Councillor Lara Fish expressed concerns about the lack of a paved pedestrian walkway to the rear play area, the inadequate amenity space for some flats, and the visibility splays. Councillor Jonathan Johnson felt the development was an overdevelopment of the site, particularly regarding the number of flats and their proximity to neighbouring properties. Councillor Daniel Denton, the referring ward councillor, objected on grounds of overdevelopment, non-compliance with London Plan policies on play space and transport accessibility, and concerns about structural integrity during construction.

Officers argued that the development was policy compliant and that issues such as play space and water management could be addressed through conditions. However, the committee ultimately voted to refuse the application based on grounds of overdevelopment, design and layout, safety concerns regarding the lack of a designated footpath, and the absence of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations.

24 Churchill, Purley

The committee voted to refuse planning permission for alterations and extensions at 24 Churchill, Purley, which proposed to create two additional residential units. The application sought to convert the property into five units in total, including bespoke flats for elderly family members.

Councillor Clive Fraser and Councillor Mohammed Islam spoke in favour of the proposal, highlighting the benefits of intergenerational living and the scheme's compliance with previous inspector decisions. However, Councillor Lara Fish and Councillor Helen Redfern expressed concerns about the development's impact on the character of the area, visual intrusion, and potential overlooking of neighbouring properties.

Despite officers advising that the bulk and massing had been deemed acceptable by a previous inspector, and that the proposal was policy compliant, the committee voted to refuse the application. The refusal was based on grounds of poor quality design, clutter in the forecourt, and the visual impact on the street scene.

Other Planning Matters

The committee noted a list of applications determined since the last meeting. Due to time constraints, members were advised to contact officers directly if they had any questions regarding these decisions. The meeting concluded with a decision to delegate the application for 8 Rayleigh Rise, South Croydon, to officers for a decision, as the subcommittee was unable to reach a consensus.