Residents fuming after 11-storey block of 60 flats in Croydon is approved

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

A block of 60 flats in Croydon has been given the green light by the council despite concerns from nearby residents it would “create a modern-day slum”.

The 11-storey block will be built on the site of former bathroom shop  Bathstore in Bensham Lane.

The plans were approved by Croydon Council on December 29, with conditions, after the move was first granted permission by the planning committee in September.

The plans were opposed by 19 people with one resident saying: “The building will help create a modern-day slum. Less than 50 metres away flats have just been completed and are still empty.”

Another said the building was too tall and would “clash” with the area and other people were worried the new flats would lead to more traffic around Bensham Lane.

At September’s planning committee,  resident Christina McClaren objected and said the new building would be within one metre of a house in Elmwood Road.

She wanted to see the development moved forward to Bensham Lane rather than being close to the boundary with Elmwood Road.

Ms McClaren said: “[There will be] terraces, balconies and multiple windows overlooking us where currently there is none.

“It would establish overlooking of Elmwood Road properties. We do support new homes in the area, indeed we intend to offer our Elmwood Road properties as a combined plot for development.

“Morris House reduces the building footprint of development on our plot by up to 18 metres. This means the council would lose potential new housing stock on the Elmwood plot.”

The Oakwood Group, which is behind the plans, also say there will be a shop space on the ground floor, four parking spaces and 120 cycle parking spaces.

The applicant originally wanted to build 73 flats in a 12-storey block which it scaled back after consultation.

The planning application reads: “The proposed scheme seeks to make efficient use of a brownfield site on the edge of the Broad Green local centre, which will comprise of a residential led mixed-use development with commercial floorspace at ground floor.”

The Oakwood Group has three years to start work on the new block but before construction starts it needs to work on a tree protection plan and submit plans to reduce a wind tunnel effect.