The Planning Sub-Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 9 April 2026, to discuss and decide on three planning applications. The committee granted permission for developments at 19 Downsview Road and 26 Lonsdale Road, but refused the application for 245 Violet Lane.

19 Downsview Road, Upper Norwood, SE19 3XD

The committee granted planning permission for the erection of a two-storey dwelling at 19 Downsview Road, Upper Norwood. The application, which had been amended during the process to reduce the scale and refine the design, was recommended for approval by officers. Councillor Patsy Cummings, the referring Ward Councillor, withdrew her referral after the amendments were made, stating that the revised scheme was more in keeping with surrounding homes. The development will include lower ground floor cycle and refuse storage, associated parking, and landscaping. The decision was made with five votes in favour, none against, and one abstention.

26 Lonsdale Road, South Norwood, SE25 4JJ

Planning permission was granted for the erection of a single-storey rear extension and a first-floor side extension at 26 Lonsdale Road, South Norwood. The application also included changes to the front fenestration and the conversion of an existing six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to a seven-bedroom, seven-person HMO. Councillors Amy Foster and Jessica Hammesley-Rich had referred the application to the committee due to concerns about over-intensification, excessive extensions, parking, and character harm. However, following amendments to the scheme, including a reduction in the size of the extensions and a clarification that the change from a six to a seven-person HMO is not considered a material change of use in planning terms, the officers recommended approval. The committee unanimously granted permission with six votes in favour and no abstentions.

245 Violet Lane, Croydon CR0 4HN

The committee refused planning permission for the erection of a single-storey front extension, ground-floor wraparound extension, first-floor rear extension, and side extension at 245 Violet Lane, Croydon. The application had attracted 14 objections, including from local councillors and Father Simplicio D'Souza from St. Dominic's Catholic Church, who raised concerns about the impact on the Presbytery, a vital community sanctuary. Key concerns included the loss of natural light and privacy to the Presbytery office and dining room, the cumulative impact of the extensions on the character of the area, and potential parking issues. While officers noted that a 6m deep ground-floor rear extension had prior approval, the committee focused on the first-floor rear extension. Councillor Clive Fraser proposed refusing the application on the grounds that the first-floor extension would cause unacceptable loss of daylight to the Presbytery. This motion was seconded by Councillor Helen Redfern and carried with five votes in favour, none against, and one abstention.