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, Addison Road, Croydon, which includes the demolition of staff accommodation and the erection of new buildings to increase student capacity and facilitate co-education. However, the committee refused planning permission for the development at 13 Harewood Road, South Croydon, citing overdevelopment, design and layout concerns, and safety issues related to the internal site layout. The application for 24 Churchill, Purley, was also refused due to concerns about poor design quality, clutter in the forecourt, and its impact on the street scene.

Trinity School, Addison Road, Croydon

The committee granted planning permission for a phased development at Trinity School, Addison Road, Croydon. The proposal includes the demolition of four staff accommodation dwellings and a maintenance store, and the erection of two three-storey buildings linked by a two-storey element. These buildings will house a fitness suite with teaching facilities and a sixth-form block. The development aims to increase student capacity by 348 and 23 teaching staff, supporting the school's transition to full co-education by 2031.

Concerns were raised by Councillor Jason Cummings, the referring ward councillor, and residents regarding potential overlooking from the new buildings, increased noise and emissions from traffic, and the need for mature trees for screening. Officers assured the committee that separation distances exceed policy requirements and that landscaping and lighting conditions would be imposed. The committee also discussed the provision of cycle parking, with the scheme offering 40 spaces, an increase from the current provision, though below London Plan standards. The need for a travel plan and its monitoring was highlighted.

The committee approved the application with conditions, including those related to landscaping, lighting, and the Section 106 agreement which will cover employment and training obligations, travel plan monitoring, public realm delivery, and the retention of 208 Addiscombe Road for staff accommodation.

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, South Croydon. The decision was made after extensive deliberation, with Councillor Sean Fitzsimons proposing refusal on the grounds of overdevelopment, citing the positioning of homes at the rear, the size and layout of the building, particularly its L-shaped nature. Councillor Fish seconded the motion, adding concerns about safety related to the lack of a designated footpath within the site layout. A third reason for refusal was the lack of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the play space provision, the proximity of the development to neighbouring properties, and the potential for increased density. Officers advised that while some issues could be addressed by conditions, the overall concerns regarding design and layout, coupled with safety implications and the absence of a legal agreement, led to the refusal.

24 Churchill, Purley

Planning permission was refused for alterations and extensions at 24 Churchill, Purley, which proposed to create two additional residential units. The committee voted five to five, with the Chair casting the deciding vote against the application. The refusal was based on grounds of poor design quality, specifically citing clutter in the forecourt and its implications for the street scene.

Councillor Samir Douaza, the referring ward councillor, had raised concerns about the development being detrimental to neighbouring properties, visual intrusion, increased noise, loss of privacy, and inadequate transport accessibility. He also highlighted concerns about the lack of detailed SUDs (Sustainable Drainage Systems) and the potential impact on the sewer network. The applicant's agent, Graham Skipper, had presented the scheme as a sympathetic redevelopment to facilitate multi-generational living, noting that previous applications had been refused but the current scheme had been revised.

Despite acknowledging the potential benefits of intergenerational living, the committee ultimately decided against the proposal due to the design concerns.

8 Rayleigh Rise, South Croydon

The Planning Sub-Committee considered an application for the demolition of a detached garage and the erection of two-storey side and single-storey rear extensions and a dormer extension in the rear roof slope at 8 Rayleigh Rise, South Croydon. The application was presented by Barry Valentine, Principal Planning Officer.

Councillor Danielle Denton, the referring ward councillor, objected to the application, raising concerns about water efficiency, flood risk, privacy infringement, and fire safety. Mr George Sewell, speaking in objection on behalf of residents of Ian Austin Mansion, also raised concerns about overdevelopment, increased pressure on infrastructure, and the risk to neighbouring properties during construction.

Officers advised that the proposal was largely policy compliant, referencing a previous permission granted in 2018 for a similar development. They stated that the proposed extensions would not unduly impact on the character and appearance of the area or the amenity levels of neighbouring occupiers.

The committee deliberated on the application, with some members expressing sympathy for the objectors' concerns regarding overshadowing and sense of enclosure, while others highlighted the policy compliance and the precedent set by the 2018 permission. After a tied vote on the motion to grant permission, a subsequent motion to refuse was also tied. Ultimately, the decision was delegated to officers for a final decision.