Cllr Lynne Hale has written a comprehensive objection to the application to discharge conditions on the dreadful Barrowsfield development, which our Labour council thinks is an appropriate structure to complement the adjoining Green Belt. Sadly this massive development has already been approved but there remain matters of detail to be resolved. Whilst sorting these out in a satisfactory way won't make the block any smaller or less incongruous, it will at least make some minor improvements to the lives of its own and neighbouring residents.
These are Cllr Hale's detailed comments:
Re: 20/02141/DISC | Discharge of conditions 3 (Architectural detailing), 4 (Building signage), 5 (Landscaping), 7 (Retaining walls), 8 (Children's playspace), 9 (Lighting), 10 (Screening), 14 (EVCP), 15 (Cycle store), 16 (Construction logistics plan), 20 (Protected and priority species), 21 (Construction environmental management plan), 25 (Remediation strategy), 26 (Remediation strategy verification report) and 30 (Piling) attached to planning permission 18/05157/FUL | 2-5 Barrowsfield South Croydon CR2 9BZ
I am writing to lodge my objection to the above application for the discharge of conditions attached to the planning consent for 18/05157/FUL – 2-5 Barrowsfield.
My reasons are as follows:
Condition 4
- The change of name to Sanderstead Park and the proposed size and location of the signage are unacceptable: they will confuse visitors to Sanderstead Recreation Ground and misdirect people into Barrowsfield, a narrow driveway with very limited turning options.
Condition 5
- The hedge to the eastern boundary of 1 Barrowsfield is a party hedge and provides a mature screen to allow privacy as well as habitat for local wildlife and birds. This hedge must retained.
- There are still unresolved issues around the boundary line so it’s too soon to sign off a condition around boundary treatment
Condition 7
- The proposals as submitted are not acceptable. The retaining wall details show excavation works required to Barrowsfield which is a private driveway outside the ownership of the applicant.
- No details are provided of proposed works to make good the wearing surface to the roadway.
- The line of the boundary wall is yet to be agreed.
- The proposed boundary wall runs across land outside the ownership of the applicant and includes land which forms the right of way to Barrowsfield.
- The proposed retaining wall and balustrade create a health and safety risk to residents and visitors to Barrowsfield; due to the proposed sunken pedestrian access and inadequate balustrade
Condition 8
Assurances were given at the Planning Committee meeting that planning officers would ensure any detailed proposals would meet or exceed Croydon Council requirements for external children’s play space in new residential developments. This submission fails on this really important condition due to:
- Inadequate communal play space – nearly 40% below the minimum required – this is completely unacceptable
- only a single piece of play equipment is proposed which is totally inadequate
- the roof top area is isolated with no overlooking and no surveillance: there must be a serious concern over children’s safety and the potential for injury, abuse or bullying.
- Policy requires the area to be accessed by children and young adults independently. However, the proposal fails to meet the criteria and is inherently unsafe. Independent, unaccompanied access by children brings the real danger that a child may climb over the 1100 mm balustrade and risk injury or death by falling.
- The developer must be required to meet policy obligations and provide a policy compliant play area of a high standard in a safe environment.
Condition 9
- The information submitted is totally inadequate to allow planning officers to ensure the proposal ‘protects the visual and residential amenity of the locality’ as per the condition wording.
- Lack of information on light spillage into adjacent properties or Metropolitan Green Belt
- The proposed floodlights are inappropriate, intrusive and non-domestic in scale and will be harmful to adjoining occupiers and existing wildlife
Condition 10
- The proposed low level, open balustrade does not provide any privacy to the adjoining properties and does not safeguard the amenity or privacy of the occupants of the adjoining properties.
Condition 16
- The Construction Logistics Plan fails to recognise the busy use of the children’s playground at Sanderstead Recreation Ground which is immediately adjacent to the site; the CLP should confirm that safe access to this will be ensured at all times
- Special care needs to be taken with the management of any dust arising from the site due to the location of the sheltered housing directly opposite where many of the elderly residents have health conditions, which would be aggravated by any increase in dust/air pollution arising from this site
- CLP 3.6 Exact location of the cranes to be used need to be agreed with the local authority prior to commencement of any works
- CLP 3.7 Details of the programme for co-ordinating the connection of services and sharing of excavations and traffic management proposals to be agreed with the local authority prior to the commencement of any works. Any closures or part closures of Limpsfield Road needs to be restricted to non-peak time/school drop off times
- It is essential to keep Limpsfield Road open to traffic as much as possible – especially in view of any A22 Godstone Road closures
- Information is required as to how any rat running through residential streets will be satisfactorily managed during any Limpsfield Road closure/part closure relating to the development works
Finally, regarding Informative Note 6: It is an offence under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove, damage or destroy the next of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. The buildings on site are likely to contain nesting birds between 1st March and 31st August inclusive. Nesting birds are present on the site in both buildings and the mature trees, shrubbery and hedgerows.
I would be grateful if my concerns could be fully taken into account when this application is being decided.
