Nine residential flats at Aveline Apartments, 12 The Ridge Way, South Croydon

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a two- or three-storey building with basement and roof accommodation providing nine flats, parking and associated facilities.

“Ref: 23/01763/FUL Location: Aveline Apartments, 12 The Ridge Way, South Croydon, CR2 0LE Ward: Sanderstead Description: Retrospective planning application for the demolition of the existing building and erection of two/three storey building including basement and accommodation in the roof space to provide 9 units. Associated parking/access, landscaping, cycle and refuse stores.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains an occupied block of nine flats on a sloping plot surrounded mainly by two-storey detached homes and large gardens.

“Site and Surroundings 4.4 The application site is a spacious plot situated on the southwestern side of The Ridge Way and was previously occupied by a large, detached property that has now been demolished and replaced with two/three storey building with accommodation in the basement and roof space (four storeys of accommodation including the roof space) providing nine self-contained flats, 1 x 1bed, 5 x 2bed and 3 x 3bed providing accommodation for 32 residents.”

“It is also located within the Hook Hill Tier 2 Archaeological Priority Area. The site is located within an area with PTAL of 1b (very poor). There are no specific Local Plan policy designations associated with the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permission and changes

Permission for nine flats was granted in 2019, but construction differed from the approved plans through changes including increased height, access, materials and landscaping.

“HISTORY AND BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL 3.1 In 2019, planning permission was granted (18/05896/FUL) for the demolition of the existing building and erection of two/three storey building including basement and accommodation in the roof space to provide 9 units. Associated parking/access, landscaping, cycle and refuse stores.”

“Enlargement of the basement was approved and implemented as an NMA, as noted in the history section of this report. The 2019 planning consent included the demolition of the existing building, which was development and required consent. As the building was subsequently demolished, the planning consent was therefore “implemented” and remains in effect. This is known as a “fallback” position.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the development was considered acceptable in principle, design, housing quality, neighbour amenity, parking, landscaping and biodiversity, subject to conditions.

“SUMMARY OF KEY REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION • The principle of this development is acceptable • The scale and overall design of the development are considered acceptable within the streetscene • Subject to the proposed conditions the living conditions of adjoining occupiers would be protected from significant harm…”

“The development would provide a suitable quality of accommodation for occupiers of the development • Subject to the proposed conditions the quantity of parking provision and impact upon highway safety and efficiency would be acceptable • Improvements to the side access now allow all residents access to the rear garden, in place of the originally approved sloped access from the rear of the building • Subject to the proposed conditions the development would provide…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning officer presented the item, a councillor spoke against it, an individual spoke in support, and a ward councillor addressed the committee in objection.

The committee’s concerns

Members raised concerns about the building’s height, massing, scale, layout, materials, fenestration, landscaping, privacy, dominance, lift and rear amenity access.

“The motion to grant the application was taken to a vote and carried with five Members voting in favour, five Members voting against and no Members abstaining. The Chair used his casting vote against the motion.”

“Councillor Mark Johnson proposed a new motion to REFUSE the application on the basis of the height, massing, scale, layout, quality of the application of external materials, fenestration, landscaping of the development being out of the character of the area, loss of privacy for the adjoining occupiers, and the dominance of the building.”

Minutes

The votes

The motion to grant was tied and lost after the Chair voted against it, while the motion to refuse was tied and carried after the Chair voted for it.

“The motion to refuse the application was taken to a vote and carried with five Members voting in favour, five Members voting against and no Members abstaining. The Chair used his casting vote in favour of the motion.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee refused the retrospective application for the nine-flat development.

“Therefore, the Committee RESOLVED to REFUSE the application for Aveline Apartments, 12 The Ridge Way, South Croydon, CR2 0LE.”

Minutes