Agenda item

Residential redevelopment of the site to provide circa 425 flats.

Ward: Fairfield

Residential redevelopment of the site to provide circa 425 flats.

Ward: Fairfield

Suzi Lane from Brick by Brick, Stuart Cade from MICA and Jennifer Turner from Carter Jonas attended to give a presentation and respond to Members' questions and issues raised for further consideration prior to submission of a planning application.

Cllr Millson arrived at the meeting at 6pm

The main issues raised during the meeting were as follows:

§  A number of Members commented that the scheme was well developed, yet challenging and very important, as it created a future for this part Croydon Town centre and the delivery of the Fair Field Masterplan. The development of 400 new homes in the centre of Croydon was welcomed along with the extent to which it was suitably flexible to allow for the potential of other sites to come forward in the future.

§  Members welcomed the 3-bedrooms that were proposed in the scheme along with a large number of 2 bedroom 4 person units (proposing family-sized accommodation).

§  There was recognition that the scheme represented enabling development with cross subsidisation to assist in the delivery of an exemplar cultural venue for the Fairfield Halls. Members requested that there be detailed information submitted as part of the application to explain clearly the reasonable distribution of costs and revenues between the residential development and the Fairfield Halls refurbishment scheme, thereby evidencing that the level of affordable housing (and associated tenures) was the maximum reasonable.

§  Members ideally would have wanted to see more than 20% of affordable housing within the development, but again appreciated the challenges of the scheme and the linkages between the residential component and the cross subsidy towards the Fairfield Halls.

§  Members placed significant weight on the delivery of step free access (as part of the proposals but also in the medium to longer term – when considering developments schemes proposed on neighbouring sites). They stressed the need to ensure that an interim state (with steps down to the lower ramp) should be the best quality possible (in terms of design rationale and safety/security). Routes need to be welcoming and of suitable width. Continued joint working with owners of adjacent sites was welcomed and encouraged, particularly adjacent sites such as College Annex, to facilitate Masterplan priorities and a future/permanent level access, linking Fairfield Halls and associated developments with East Croydon Station.

§  Some of the Members commented on the height and massing of the buildings where the tower reflected the surrounding tall buildings. There was general comment that the location and height of the tower was appropriate – subject to daylight, sunlight and heritage testing. Members were generally comfortable with the height of Block E (in the context of the Fairfield Halls – locally listed) and were broadly comfortable with the associated heritage effects (suitably aligned with the views of the Place Review Panel).

§  There was some concern over relationships between residential blocks (daylight, sunlight and privacy) although it was recognised that these issues were still being tested.

§  Some Members raised some concern about the loss of open space whereas others welcomed the boulevard feel to the space, further tree planting, an increase in tables and chairs and the delivery of further opportunities to make much greater use of the spaces within the site as well as in the immediate vicinity.

§  Members welcomed the idea of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group being included as part of the development – alongside other possible community related uses.  

§  It was agreed that once the application has been submitted, a site visit should be arranged for Members to inspect the site and to further understand associated complexities and the relationships with adjacent land holdings.

At 6:39pm the Planning Committee adjourned for a short break.

At 6:44pm the Planning Committee reconvened.