Croydon Liberal Democrats

GLA Lib Dems support fair planning for Croydon

In recent Mayor's Questions, Liberal Democrat GLA Member Mike Tuffrey challenged Mayor Boris Johnson to explain why no London-level scrutiny was given to an application for a skyscraper to be wedged into traditional residential two-story Addiscombe/East Croydon.

"The Mayor's off-hand responses (included below) show how no regard was given to almost 800 residents who opposed this over-development," said Croydon campaigner Chris Adams. "Mike Tuffrey's questions demonstrate a consitent Lib Dem commitment - at local and Greater London levels - to representing the views of residents and for greater transparency in decision making."

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Menta development, Croydon | Question No: 2553 / 2011 | Mike Tuffrey

Why did you not call in, or refuse the Stage II planning application for the Cherry Orchard Road (Menta) development in Croydon, given the significant concerns about it, including:

a) The development only having 10% affordable housing (50% affordable rent and 50% shared ownership), reduced from 18%;

b) The development exceeding the London Plan density matrix (which suggests an appropriate residential density for Central areas of up to 405 units per hectare or 1,100 habitable rooms - this development is 2,074 habitable rooms per hectare for the tower and 1,879 for the smaller Cherry Orchard Gardens block);

c) Your own planning report stating that "Overshadowing from the tower would have a far reaching impact".

Written response from the Mayor

Croydon town centre has undergone a steady decline over the last 20 years and this application represents a significant opportunity for growth. The application was reviewed in detail by myself, my planning team and Croydon Council and the proposal was considered acceptable. This detailed review included:

• A financial appraisal of the affordable housing offer, and it was determined that the maximum reasonable amount had been secured.

• The proposed density is high, but for this type of site in a Metropolitan Centre and Opportunity Area, it is not unusual for densities to exceed the London Plan.

• The application is in an area identified as appropriate tall buildings and has been designed and orientated to minimise the impacts of overshadowing.

• Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing are issues that are best dealt with by the local planning authority. In this case, the Council has considered the impacts in detail. It concluded that those properties most effected by the proposal would be on Oval Road, Cedar Road and Colson Road, and that the effects are such that a refusal of planning permission on the grounds of daylight, sunlight and overshadowing would not be justified, given the proximity of these properties to the town centre and an existing concentration of tall buildings.

Public agendas for planning decisions meetings | Question No: 2554 / 2011 | Mike Tuffrey

Will you commit to making public the agendas for your planning decisions meetings, so that it is easier for the public to find out when you will be taking decisions on key planning applications?

Written response from the Mayor

No. These are not public meetings.

Publishing planning decisions online | Question No: 2555 / 2011 | Mike Tuffrey

In answer to MQ0610/2009 you stated that you intended to adopt the Planning Protocol recommended by the Standards Committee in January 2009, which requires planning decisions to be published on the Authority's web site "as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within ten working days of …… any decision, letter or direction from the Mayor". As of 2 September 2011, the latest decisions on the GLA website date from 16 June 2011. What steps will you take to ensure the Protocol is followed?

Written response from the Mayor

I strongly support the planning protocol and the commitment to publication of various planning information and documents on the GLA website, within 10 working days. Generally this commitment is met (e.g. for the weekly list of planning consultations). Uploading the planning reports is technically more complicated and time consuming and unfortunately a backlog has developed over the summer as a result of a combination of staff sickness, annual leave and a high volume of planning casework. However, I am committed to clearing this backlog as soon as possible.