Earlier this year, a retrospective planning application for the erection of an outbuilding and 14no. pole mounted lights was submitted for Fernlea House Farm on Golf Road (24/00952/FUL).
Working with residents and other interested parties, and along with 87 others, I objected to the planning application as inappropriate for Green Belt land.
Yesterday planning officers refused planning permission for the following reasons:
- The outbuilding and floodlights are inappropriate development in the Green Belt without exception, harming its openness and permanence. There are no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm identified. The development therefore conflicts with the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy G2 of the London Plan (2021) and Policies DM10 and DM26 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018).
- The outbuilding and floodlights are incongruous and intrusive additions resulting in harm to the character and appearance of the Kenley Aerodrome Conservation Area, with insufficient public benefits to outweigh the harm. As such, the proposal is contrary to Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, policies DM10 and DM18 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018) and the provisions of the NPPF.
- The floodlights would result in an obtrusive level of lighting that would be detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of the adjoining property, by reason of its height and siting so close to the neighbouring boundaries. The proposals are therefore deemed to conflict with Policies SP4.2 and DM10.6 of the Croydon London Plan, Policy D3 of the London Plan 2021.
- Insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the excavation undertaken on site has not resulted in harm to the existing archaeological priority area. Based on the absence of any information relating to such matters and identifying and mitigation any harm caused, the proposals fail to comply with Local Plan Policy SP4.13 and London Plan Policy HC1.
- No details have been provided which justify that the use for car storage would not result in contamination across the site which would be detrimental to the conditions of the immediate and wider site. Based on the lack of information provided and the likely contamination impacts that would arise from the development, the proposals would conflict with Local Plan Policy DM24.
- Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the development, most notably the lighting, has not resulted in unacceptable harm to protected species and habitats or the adjoining Site of Nature Conservation Importance. This is contrary to policy G6 of the London Plan (2021) and policy DM28 of the Croydon Local Plan (2018).
I am pleased to see this refusal, together with the strong reasons and I am grateful to Planning Officers for protecting our beautiful green spaces.
Full details can be seen on the Croydon planning portal by searching for planning application number 24/00952/FUL.
