Last night's Planning Committee decided by a majority of 5 - 4 to refuse planning permission at 36 Oakwood Avenue. The application by Aventier was to replace the existing bungalow by eight semi-detached houses in two rows, which between them would cover almost the entire site.
I put the case that as Purley is now providing well over 50% of the new homes requirements for the whole of Croydon, this should be refused on grounds of cumulative impact alone. Outside the Webb Estate, Oakwood Avenue is almost the only street left in Purley to consist entirely of large detached family homes with gardens, and I and the residents are very keen to keep it that way.
However, I think the issue that swung it for the committee was the fact that the Purley Cattery in Riddlesdown Road backs directly onto the site, and there was no doubt that its business would be severely and probably terminally affected both during construction and long-term. We heard that the cattery employs four staff who would therefore lose their jobs.
It's unusual for the Labour-dominated committee to turn down a planning application which replaces large family homes in Purley by blocks of flats, and even more unusual to turn down their replacement by new houses, so the residents can rejoice in this rare victory for common sense.
