26/00734/FUL
93 Blenheim Park Road South Croydon CR2 6BL
Retention of the Existing Host Building, containing 4 Self-Contained Flats (1x1bed, 2x2bed and 1x3bed) and Erection of Three 2 Storey Buildings containing 4 Self-Contained flats (1x1bed, 2x2bed and 1x3bed) with associated car and cycle parking spaces, bin enclosures, amenity space and landscaping at the land rear.
The proposed development, by reason of scale, mass, form and design would appear dominant, unsightly, uncharacteristic, obtrusive and out of character with the surrounding area and would fail to integrate successfully in townscape terms or make a positive contribution to the setting and appearance of the local character and immediate surroundings, resulting in a dominant, visually intrusive form of development contrary to Policies SP4 and DM10 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018) and D3 and H2 of the London Plan (2021).
The proposed development would result in a poor standard of accommodation due to poor outlook from a number of the units combined with poor amenity space to flats 6 and 7, poor quality communal space and play space due to the cramped and enclosed environment, and failure to demonstrate M4(2) unit compliance to all units, contrary to Policies SP2.8 and DM10 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018) and D6, D7 and S4 of the London Plan (2021).
The proposed development due to the change in levels and the close proximity of the buildings to its respective neighbours would result in an obtrusive and imposing form of development when viewed from the rear gardens of the neighbouring properties at 95 Blenheim Park Road and 24 Kingsdown Avenue, thereby conflicting with policy DM10 of Croydon Local Plan (2018) and D3 of the London Plan (2021).
The proposal fails to demonstrate suitable gradients for pedestrian access, acceptable cycle storage, and bin storage and collection arrangements, in addition to failing to secure sustainable transport contributions to mitigate highways impacts and promote more sustainable transport modes. Therefore, the proposal would be contrary to Policies DM29, DM30 and DM13 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018) and T4, T5 and T6.1 of the London Plan (2021).
The proposal fails to provide the information required to demonstrate appropriate biodiversity net gain, contrary to Policy DM27 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018), Policy G6 of the London Plan (2021) and Section 40 the Natural Environmental Rural Communities Act 2006. In reaching this decision the Local Planning Authority has sought to work in a positive and pro-active manner based on seeking solutions to problems in the following way: To assist applicants the Local Planning Authority has produced policies and written guidance, all of which is available on the Council's website and offers a pre planning application advice service. The scheme does not comply with guidance and no pre application discussions were entered into. The Council is ready to enter into discussions with the applicants to assist in the preparation of a new planning application via the Council's Pre Application process. The Local Planning Authority's suggested improvements were not adopted by the applicant. The Local Planning Authority delivered the decision in a timely manner.