Agenda item

Erection of 2 no. three bed semi-detached dwellinghouses and 2 no. two bed semi-detached dwellinghouses (following demolition of existing garage and side extension). Associated access driveway, parking, and hard and soft landscaping.

Ward: Kenley

Recommendation: Grant permission

Erection of 2 no. three bed semi-detached dwellinghouses and 2 no. two bed semi-detached dwellinghouses (following demolition of existing garage and side extension). Associated access driveway, parking, and hard and soft landscaping.

Ward: Kenley

The officer presented details of the planning application and in response to members’ questions explained that:

• The proposed development would be the only back land development on that side of the Haydn Avenue.
• The proposed development would be subservient to the main dwelling.
• The gradient of the access road was 1 in 7 at its steepest points and 1 in 12 at other points, this was quite a steep gradient but it was quite common on the steeper roads in that part of Purley. The width of the access road was 3.7m in total and 1.2m of which was for pedestrian access this met the guidance for the width of the access drive. The applicant had provided diagrams which showed that emergency vehicles could access and egress the site in a forward gear.
• Lighting of the access path would be secured via condition.
• There was no provision for affordable housing as it was a minor development.
• The yardstick was 18-21m between windows and the proposed development was 17m and there was no direct sight line due to the change in land level.

Eamon Price spoke in objection to the application; Simon Grainger spoke in support of the application and Councillor Ola Kolade addressed the Committee with his view as the Ward Councillor. The sub-committee began the deliberation, during which they raised the following points:

• The proposed development was out of keeping with the character of the local area.
• This would set a precedent for back land development on that side of Haydn Avenue, however there were several back land developments in the local area.
• There was no step free access to the living areas.
• The retained garden would be smaller than policy required.
• When the inspector dismissed the earlier appeal, they recognised the large gardens and sense of space along that side of Haydn Avenue. The inspector also wanted to maintain the character, appearance and development layout pattern of the local area.
• Members wanted the design to match the size, scale and massing of properties in the area.
• The scheme provided additional homes which people would want to live in.
• The proposed development aligned with Croydon’s housing targets and local plan policies, as it provided a mixture of 2- and three-bedroom units which met the boroughs diverse housing needs.
• The proposed development would enhance the street scene with high quality architecture.
• The previous application was refused and was dismissed at appeal stage correctly as it was an overdevelopment.

The substantive motion to GRANT the application based on the officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Fraser. This was seconded by Councillor Srinivasan.

The motion to grant the application was taken to a vote and fell with three Members voting in favour and three Members voting against. The Chair used his casting vote against the motion.

Councillor Parker proposed to refuse the application on the grounds that the proposed development would be out of keeping with the area and represented an overdevelopment due to its size, massing, siting and layout. This was seconded by Councillor Fish.

The motion to refuse the application was taken to a vote and carried with three Members voting in favour and three Members voting against. The Chair used his casting vote in favour of the motion.

The Committee RESOLVED to REFUSE the application for the development at 11 Haydn Avenue, Purley, CR8 4AG.