One four-bedroom dwelling at 17 Convent Hill, Upper Norwood, London SE19

What was proposed

The application proposed subdividing the garden to build a two-storey, four-bedroom home with Beaumont Road access, one parking space, refuse storage and two cycle spaces.

“Planning permission is sought for the subdivision of the existing garden at number 17 Convent Hill to accommodate the erection of a two-storey dwelling house. The dwelling would comprise 4 bedrooms and would have a private amenity area to the rear of the site.”

“Access would be created from Beaumont Road, which would serve a new pedestrian access to the dwelling as well as a dropped kerb for the purpose of offering a single car parking space within a parking forecourt area. This are would also accommodate a refuse store and cycle storage area which would accommodate space for two bikes.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a semi-detached home and rear garden in a residential area with mixed two-storey housing, bungalows, mature trees and poor public transport access.

“The application site comprises a two-storey semi-detached dwelling with a rear garden, located on the western side of Convent Hill. The property sits within a residential setting characterised by a mix of housing typologies, including two storey terraced and semi- detached dwellings. Examples of detached bungalows exist to the west of the site.”

“The site is not located within a designated flood risk zone and is not subject to any other site-specific constraints identified in the Croydon Local Plan (2018). The site benefits from a Public Transport Accessibility Level of 2 (poor).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for a bungalow with an integral garage was refused in 1989.

“The following planning history is relevant to the application site:”

“88/02201/P- Erection of bungalow with integral garage. (Permission refused 31/03/1989). SUMMARY OF KEY REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION 4.1 Planning permission is recommended for the following reasons:”

Officer report

Main planning considerations

The assessment considered housing, design, accommodation quality, neighbour amenity, trees, biodiversity, access, parking, fire safety, flooding and energy efficiency.

“The main planning issues raised by the application that the committee must consider are: a) Principle of development b) Design and impact on character of the area c) Quality of residential accommodation d) Impact on neighbouring residential amenity e) Trees, landscaping and biodiversity f) Access, parking and highway impacts g) Fire Safety h) Flood risk and energy efficiency…”

Officer report

Objections and local concerns

Twenty-five neighbours objected, citing character, overdevelopment, privacy, noise, light, parking, infrastructure, construction, wildlife and trees; the ward councillor also objected.

“In terms of the neighbouring responses that were received during the statutory consultation period, the concerns which have been raised and those which are material to the determination of the application are set out within the table below and these are also addressed in detail within the assessment of the material considerations within this report. Objection Officer comment Character and design Overdevelopment of the site. Addressed in paragraphs 8.12-8.25.”

“Local Ward Councillor, Claire Bonham, objected to the proposed development and referred the planning application to be considered by planning committee. The councillor raised the following concerns in relation to the proposed development: • Loss of spaciousness. • Overbearing impact on neighbouring properties • Overlooking and harm to privacy due to location of windows. • Light pollution generated from development.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A speaker addressed the committee in objection, another spoke in support, and Councillor Claire Bonham spoke as the referring ward councillor.

The committee discussion

After hearing the speakers, the committee deliberated and considered a motion to grant permission based on the officer recommendation with additional landscaping details.

“After the speakers had finished, the Committee deliberated.”

“The motion to GRANT the application based on the officer’s recommendation, was proposed by Councillor Redfern. This was seconded by Councillor Fraser. This was subject to the implementation of a landscaping proposal which included planting details along the boundary which is shared with number 63 Bradley Road.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to grant permission passed with six votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions.

“The motion to GRANT the application was taken to a vote and carried with six members voting in favour, no members voting against and no abstentions.”

Minutes