One of OCRA's roles is to monitor and examine planning applications in our area. OCRA vets planning applications and comments where necessary to help ensure that developments and extensions are in keeping with the character of Old Coulsdon. We are able to input our opinion on behalf of local residents about the suitability of developments. In general we are aware of the need for more affordable housing in our area but we do not want to see over-development of back gardens by developers who want to squeeze every penny out of the land they have acquired with little consideration of the impact on the local community.

Croydon Council has extensive information about the planning process on their website whether you are submitting a plan to extend or alter your house or a developer is planning to erect a row of houses over your garden fence. If a planning application is going to adversely affect you, you can find on what Planning Grounds you can object to it. You can look at the publications and guidance notes that are issued by the Council to prospective planning applicants to see for yourself what they must take into consideration.

Planning can be complex but OCRA can help you. For an informal chat about a planning problem, you can contact our Planning Officer. Don't forget to give your name, address and phone number and the Planning Application that is being referred to.

The Big Picture: OCRA is part of the Coulsdon and Cane Hill Stakeholder Engagement Forum which has been working with Croydon Council and their consultants to consider how the development of Cane Hill and the regeneration of Coulsdon town centre should be approached. The outcome is a Draft Masterplan for Coulsdon town centre and a decision by Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), the owners of Cane Hill, to put the site up for sale so that the developers can be involved in creating a Masterplan for Cane Hill. The Masterplans will control the way that development is permitted into the future.

Local Issues: We have a 'special case' in our area because the area centred around Bradmore Green and Grange Park, Old Coulsdon was designated a conservation area in June 1968, because of its considerable architectural interest and its strong historical associations. The following buildings in the Bradmore Green Conservation Area are protected from unapproved alteration or demolition:

• The Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist

• Bradmore Farmhouse

• The Barn

• Barn Cottage

• The Grange (Canon's Hill),

• 1 and 2a Church Path

• 1-12 (inclusive), The Parade, Coulsdon Road

• The Tudor Rose, Public House

• No. 2 Court Avenue,

• No. 107 Coulsdon Road

• The Rectory

• The Holt, Canon's Hill

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Current Issues: These are the applications that OCRA is currently opposing:

If you want to express your views, you can find details on the Croydon Council website by clicking on the Application Nos. below.

86-94 Caterham Drive, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1JG

Original Croydon Application No: 10/03700/P

Demolition of nos 88 and 90 ; erection of 8 two storey three bedroom semi detached houses with accommodation in roofspace, 4 two storey four bedroom detached houses and 2 two storey three bedroom detached houses; erection of garages, formation of access road and provision of associated parking.

An appeal to the Planning Inspectorate has now been rejected on the grounds that the development would result in the loss of or the putting at risk of valued trees, detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining property by reason of loss of privacy and visual intrusion and would constitute a cramped and overcrowded form of backland development out of character with the surrounding area. To see the details and/or email the Case Officer, click here.

The announcement was covered by the Advertiser – click here to read report.

21- 23 Shirley Avenue, Coulsdon, CR5 1QZ

Original Application Number: 10/02531/P

Demolition of existing dwellings; erection of 6 semi-detached and 2 detached houses; formation of access road and provision of associated parking.

This application has been rejected by Croydon Council and by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol.

To see the details and/or email the Case Officer, click here.

115-121 Waddington Avenue, Coulsdon, CR5 1QP

Original Croydon Application No: 11/03509/P

Demolition of no 121; erection of 6 semi detached and 1 detached houses; formation of access road and provision of associated parking.

This application has previously been rejected by Croydon Council and an appeal has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

To see the details and/or email the Case Officer, click here.

123-125 Waddington Avenue

Original Croydon Application No: 11/00152/P

Permission has been granted after appeal for the construction of 10 houses. There will be 2 detached houses on the road and a side road where there will be 8 semi detached houses.

To see the details and/or email the Case Officer, click here.

157A Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon, CR5 1EG

Original Croydon Application No: 11/03624/LP

An application has been made for a Day Nursery for 33 children – no details yet.

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