Protestors descend on planning hearing
by Ross Lidbetter
ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk
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BATTLE: Richard Hough with supporters outside his Autoclutch
garage
Protestors arrived en masse at the Town Hall last night (Wednesday) as one of Croydon's longest planning battles rumbles on.
About 40 people attended a planning hearing to decide whether flats should be built opposite Norwood Junction train station.
Campaigners have been battling the plans for Station Approach, South Norwood, since November 2002.
An independent inspector is chairing the hearing and will determine whether Croydon Council was right to reject a planning application last September.
Mechanic Richard Hough, who runs Autoclutch car repair garage, faces his business premises being demolished if the plans are given the green light.
He told the Advertiser: "I'm never optimistic, because at the end of the day this is about planning policy, not what the people actually want. I think the scheme would be a complete travesty.
"The majority feeling is that it was a bad scheme, totally out of keeping with the area.
"It's a hit-and-run scheme, where someone else would be left to deal with the mess."
The proposal involves building 13 flats and shops or a restaurant and cafe on the ground floor.
Croydon Council ruled the plans did not fit in with the surrounding conservation area, but developer Greathall Ltd decided to appeal against that decision.
A date has not yet been set for the planning inspector to announce his decision, but Mr Hough believes it could be two months until he finds out his fate.
4 Comments
by lewis, croydon
Saturday, April 18 2009, 1:42AM
“If it was not for Mr Hough letting Students to go to he's Garage for hands on experience alot of us would of ended up being kicked out of school or worse so Mr Hough is a valuable person to the community and is more of a role model for most students so instead of taking the Garage away from him they should be Rewarding him.”
by Tony, Croydon
Friday, April 17 2009, 10:15PM
“It would be a total disaster for the area to lose Autoclutch, not only because this business is part of South Norwood history but also it would not only effect the loyal staff that work for Mr Hough, but also the many Croydon school's he helps as one of the Boroughs most experienced, highly respected and loyal Work Experience employers, that would involve 20 - 30 students not having a valuable work placement.”
by caroline, croydon
Friday, April 17 2009, 8:43AM
“Actually the people that attended were supporting something and someone that they strongly believe in.Mr Houghs business is at risk .Peoples jobs are at risk!Because people attend a meeting in support of what is important to them does not mean that they are unemployed.so as you are fed up and not bothered and clearly do not know what you are talking about maybe you should keep your nasty comments to yourself!”
by fed up, not bothered
Thursday, April 16 2009, 9:24PM
“How peed off are we with the damn protesters all they are , are out of work layabouts with nowt better to do
GET A FROGGING JOB YOU BUMS”