‘Out-of-character’ apartment complex plan for Croydon ‘suburb’ is rejected

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to build a four-storey apartment complex have been rejected by Croydon council over concerns they would be ‘out of character’ with the surrounding area.

The decision was celebrated by Croydon South MP Chris Philp, who said flats should be built in Croydon town centre and not the suburbs.

Councillors and residents said the plan’s ‘excessive scale, overbearing appearance and perceived dominance’ meant it was out of character with the surrounding area.

However, online campaigners have slammed the decision, calling it ‘anti-family,’ and ‘simply nimbyism

The plans for 79 Riddlesdown Road, Riddlesdown, would have seen the construction of a four-storey building, following the demolition of the pre-existing family home on the site. The building would have housed six energy-efficient homes with parking and cycle storage.

The development, led by Polaris Passivhaus Developments Limited, would have required a sizeable excavation and landscaping in the quiet, residential road. The building’s four storeys would have also risen above its two neighbours, giving rise to fears over a loss of privacy.

These were just some concerns raised by the 180 objectors to the plans, ultimately leading to their rejection. The Riddlesdown Residents Association led their opposition to the plans on the basis of its ‘negative impact on the character and appearance of the area’.

In the official report, Croydon council’s head of development, Nicola Townsend, said: “The development would result in a building that is excessive in scale, depth, mass, bulk and height, whilst also resulting in a significant amount of engineering across the site.

“The development proposals would therefore be out of character with the immediate area and would result in harm to the visual amenity of the street scene and the suburban character of the area.”

The report also stated: “The proposed development, by way of its excessive scale, overbearing appearance and perceived dominance to the adjoining occupiers at 79A and 81 would cause harm to neighbouring living conditions through the creation of a sense of enclosure and loss of outlook and privacy.”

Riddlesdown Road is a residential area dominated by large single-family detached houses on the outskirts of Riddlesdown Common. 79 Riddlesdown is listed as a brownfield site and is currently occupied by a large detached family home.

Pictured top: How 79 Riddlesdown Road would have looked (Picture: Polaris Passivhaus Developments Ltd)