Residents fury as developer battles to build new homes in New Addington
Developers have begun a battle to build houses on the site of a former job centre.
Croydon Council rejected an application to redevelop the building in Fieldway last April, but developer Classgrade has launched an appeal to the Government's Planning Inspectorate to try to have the decision overturned.
-
DISAPPOINTED: Residents including Hubert Stephens (front left) do not want the new homes built on the former job centre in Fieldway Photo No: CCRdf210409bA01
Tenants living in the nearby Beech and Cedar tower blocks opposed the plans, saying the development of four houses and 13 flats would invade their privacy, increase traffic and block out sunlight to the lower flats.
Hubert Stephens, 77, has lived in a fourth-floor flat in Beech House for the past 43 years.
He said: "Once the council turned it down we thought it was safe. We thought it was all dead and buried – I can't believe they are trying again."
Residents also think access for the emergency services to the occupants living in the two blocks – which provide sheltered housing for the elderly – could be affected.
Currently cars clog up the only access road to the flats because there are not enough parking facilities for the 120 homes and their visitors.
Council planning bosses agreed with residents that the development was unsuitable when they turned it down, saying it would be out of character, would not provide adequate pedestrian access and would reduce the light to residents' homes.
The planning application was the third to be submitted by Classgrade in the 18 months leading up to its refusal, though it was the first to make it before the committee after the first two were withdrawn.
Residents were unaware of the appeal until the Advertiser notified them this week.
Mr Stephens said: "It is very unfair, there should be representation from the residents.
"They shouldn't be able to go ahead and approve this without us knowing about it."
He believes the site of the former jobcentre, which shut in 2003, should be used as a car park.
But not everyone is against the plans. Pensioner Vivian Bobb has lived in nearby Brierley for more than 40 years and would welcome the development.
Vivian, 70, said: "The job centre is just standing there doing nothing. I think something modern would look better. I think a lot of people would appreciate it."
An expected date for decision is not known.
No one from Classgrade was available to comment.
27 Comments
View all
by Krystal, New Addington
Saturday, February 27 2010, 4:04PM
“Me again Tony
1) If a Councillor lives in the ward it is preferable but, to me, not important as long as they spend time here, understand our needs and work for us.
2) You may see determination in full re-surfacing .... I still see pot-holes, lots of them, still bad and not dealt with.
3) The Election - so on this public forum we can discuss council tax but not Regeneration? Why? Surely the Conservative Council can give us some idea of the plans they have if re-elected - or are they so far off what the Residents have requested it may lose votes?
We will have claims from all parties as to what they promise to do, improve on, introduce to win votes - so why is the regeneration not to be included?
P.S If the elected Councillors do indeed come from outside the wards - it is likely they will have to drive up here .... would then say there is MORE chance of the roads being sorted then!”
by Tony, New Adington
Saturday, February 27 2010, 12:59PM
“Krystal, I do indeed live in New Addington, and I drive, and I recognise the poor state of the roads but I also see a determination from the Council to reverse the years of cuts we saw in road maintenance under Labour, and follow a program of full resurfacing as opposed to patching up. This years budget, with a low council tax increase, allows for a substantial increase in the budget for roads maintenance and I welcome this. It is up to all of us to make sure that the work is done and that is why I support local representation. It is fair to say this is 'off topic' but if Labour have their way we will have two Labour Councillors for New Addington, one living in Sanderstead and one in Kenley. This does not bode well for being properly represented and getting what New Addington needs. My understanding in respect of the Regeneration project that is ongoing is that, whilst the proposals have been published, the Council has to be very careful in what it says at the moment due to the Election Laws that kick in this close to election but make no mistake, the Conservative Council and local conservatives are determined to see this regeneration completed to benefit evryone in New Addington and Fieldway. I hope this helps, but am always happy to explain further.”
by Krystal, New Addington
Saturday, February 27 2010, 12:32PM
“Tony, New Addington
This doesn't clarify I'm afraid.
I appreciate that this is now slightly "off topic" from the original article - but nonetheless ...
I hear that Croydon Council is now in a better financial situation, and, as I believe the consensus of opinion from Residents here was a yes the Regeneration but a no to housing built to fund it - it's all good news!
Now comes the point - if the taxpayers are not funding the Council's new offices ... will this then impact on monies which should be set-aside for the badly needed regeneration of New Addington?
The results of the consultation by John Thompson & Ptnrs has now been published - but as per usual it seems - no engagement from the Council - what happens now? When will the Council be applying to alter of the so called "village green" - in order to do this will they have to submit the plans and layout - will the Residents be consulted in this? As I've mentioned in another post on this site, how much money is available?
One last point, if you reside up here, if you drive and have appreciated how appalling the pot-holes still are - why are they still being temporarily filled ... it's just falling out leaving most as they were before.
So - in conclusion and reverting back to the original article - if any building works are undertaken here, in my opinion, it should be Regeneration-based only and the view of local residents should be heard loud and clear!”
by Tony, New Addington
Saturday, February 27 2010, 10:23AM
“Krystal, please allow me to clarify. At the time of the Tesco plan, Croydon was bankrupt and reliant on the deal with Tesco to fund the regeneration, now thanks to good fiscal management the Council is financially more stable and not do reliant. As for the regeneration of Taberner House, despite the lies being circulated there is NO cost to the Council Tax payer for this development, however, if the Council opted for refurbishment then it would cost at least £41 Million pounds all met from the Council Tax. You are right that this should not be a political forum, however, it is essential that facts are stated in order that people get a balanced idea of the situation.”
by johnboy, new addington
Saturday, February 27 2010, 12:46AM
“Perhaps if we had decent councelours thing would be better not looking for gongs in the new years honour list just get on with the job.”