The Planning Sub-Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 8 February 2024, to consider a planning application for alterations and conversion of a dwelling at 8 and 8A St Helen's Road, Norbury. The committee resolved to grant planning permission for this development.

Planning Application for 8 and 8A St Helen's Road, Norbury

The committee granted planning permission for the alterations and conversion of the single-family dwelling at 8 and 8A St Helen's Road, Norbury, London, SW16 4LB into three self-contained flats. The proposal also includes reconfiguration of the front area, demolition of an existing side extension, erection of a single-storey side/rear extension, a rear dormer extension, and the provision of associated cycle and refuse storage.

The application was brought before the committee due to objections received from local residents and representations from ward councillors Councillor Matt Griffiths and Councillor Leila Ben-Hassel, who objected to the proposal.

During the meeting, officers presented the details of the application, highlighting that the previous proposal had included a bulky waste storage area that conflicted with parking spaces and did not demonstrate that larger vehicles could enter and exit the site safely. The current proposal addresses this by relocating the bulky waste storage. Officers also explained that the single-storey side/rear extension is considered subservient to the host building and would be constructed using matching materials. Concerns about loss of light or outlook to neighbouring properties were deemed not to be harmful due to the modest scale of the extension. The Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service stated that the scale of the development did not meet the threshold for them to provide comment. A condition was noted regarding the maintenance of landscaping for a period of five years, ensuring established planting and replacement of any dead trees.

Councillor Ben-Hassel spoke in objection to the application, and Councillor Griffiths presented his views as the Ward Councillor. Following these presentations, the sub-committee deliberated. Key points raised by the committee members included:

• A request for a condition to ensure adequate lighting in the side alleyway.
• Concerns regarding the disruption to the symmetry of the front gardens.
• Consideration of the Transport Officer's comments about vehicle movement on and off the site.
• Acknowledgement of positive changes made by the applicant to address previous inspectorate comments.
• Appreciation for the removal of a first-floor balcony, which reduced potential harm to a neighbouring property.
• The no dig policy for the front of the property was noted as a measure to protect the lime trees.
• A suggestion for a condition to ensure sufficient tree replanting if any trees were lost.
• Observations on the mixed character of the local area, which includes detached and semi-detached houses, flats, and commercial buildings.
• The suitability of the ground floor flat for a family home.
• The retention of the property's character.
• Acknowledgement that the off-street parking arrangement was not ideal.
• The area's Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) rating of 4, with proximity to a train station and bus routes, was noted.
• Appreciation for the removal of a previous two-storey extension.
• Confirmation that cycle parking had been reduced to provide six spaces, and that the car parking proposal had been upheld by an inspector in a previous appeal.

Councillor Simon Brew proposed the substantive motion to grant the application, based on the officer's recommendation and the addition of conditions for adequate lighting in the side alleyway and the submission of a hard and soft landscaping plan including replacement tree planting. Councillor Danielle Denton seconded the motion.

The motion to grant the application was carried with three members voting in favour, two against, and one abstention. Consequently, the Committee resolved to grant planning permission for the development at 8 and 8A St Helen's Road.