SANDROCK DEVELOPMENT - Reasons for Objections from last year

In case of interest, the objection is below, which includes various references to Croydon/London plans which may be of interest to others:

The proposed development of the Sandrock is highly objected to and not supported for the reasons below.

In summary, the proposed development directly contravenes numerous Strategic Priorities of the Croydon Local Plan 2018 and the London Plan 2016, and if approved will fundamentally negatively alter the character, community, sense of place
and aesthetics of the local area. 

Reasons for Objections

Strategic Priority 1.2 of the Croydon Local Plan 2018, directs that all new developments should contribute to local character and enhance the sense of place in the local area. This proposed development does not do this. There are no other purpose built flat blocks within the immediate near vicinity, and the blocks are completely out of character with other homes in the near area. The character of the local area is one of nature and woodland, however this development proposes removing substantial mature woodland, and disrupting badger sets in the woodland. The design of the flats are also not in character with the local area. 

Strategic Priority 4.2 of the Croydon Local Plan 2018, outlines the importance of the distinctive qualities, identity, topography and opportunities of the 'Place' in assessing proposed development. The proposed development does not recognise the distinctive qualities of the place (the removal of mature woodland in favour of a residential building unlike any other in the local area), and will change the identity of the area because of this. Similarly, the skyline will be fundamentally changed for local residents as a result of the development of a building of this size.

Policy HC7 of the London Plan 2016, highlights the importance of protecting public houses. However the proposed development does not protect the viability of the Sandrock public house. When tradilng, the Sandrock was visited by the local community, however the majority of it's business was provided by families that drove to the pub and parked in the pub car park. However the plan completely removes adequate parking provision for the pub, and there is very restricted parking on nearby roads, which is fully used by residents. This will therefore render the pub not viable as a profitable business. For this reason, the proposed development should be resisted in line with Policy HC7 Section C (Development proposals for redevelopment of associated accommodation, facilities or development within the curtilage of the public house that would compromise the operation or viability of the public house use should be resisted) as the removal of the pub parking facilities would compromise the viability of the public house'.

In relation to Policy HC6 of the London Plan 2016, the proposed development also does not provide adequate provision for electric or disabled parking.

The proposed development also creates a dangerous access point to the property on Sandrock Place, which is a narrow single lane road, risking access issues.

It is for the reasons above regarding why the planned proposal does not meet London or Croydon Plans, that the proposed Sandrock development is highly opposed.

Thanks to Resident Rob who found these, the objections from the last application
Drew

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER No.18/00014/TPO - Update

Neighbours in Sandrock Place have received the following letter:
(NB all links are as written, we cannot be sure that they work!)

THIS IS A FORMAL NOTICE to let you know that on 18th September 2018 the Council made the above tree preservation order. 

A copy of the order is enclosed. In simple terms, it prohibits anyone from cutting down, topping or lopping any of the trees described in the First Schedule and shown on the map without the Council's consent. 

Some explanatory guidance on tree preservation orders is given in the communities and local government leaflet "Protected trees - A guide to tree preservation procedures", which can be viewed and downloaded from the following link: 
http://www.communities.gov .uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2127793.pdf 

The order has been made not to preclude any development, but to ensure that the trees are considered as a material consideration within the full planning process. The order will ensure that they are considered and protected from harm or removal within any proposed development. The Council has made the order in accordance with the Croydon Plan Policy DM28 

In summary I consider the subject trees to offer good prominent public visual amenity value and contribute to the verdant character of the area. The council consider it expedient to include the trees in a new tree preservation order in the interest of visual amenity. 

The order took effect on a provisional basis, on 18th September 2018 it will continue in force on this basis for a further 6 months or until the order is confirmed by the Council whichever first occurs. 
The Council will consider whether the order should be confirmed, that is to whether it should remain in effect. Before this decision is made, the people affected by the order have a right to make objections or other representations about any of the trees, groups of trees or woodlands covered by the order. 

If you would like to make any objections or other comments, please make sure we receive them in writing by 23rd October 2018. Your comments must comply with regulation 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 2012, which can be viewed and downloaded from the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/605/pdfs/uksi_20120605_en.pdf. 

Send your comments to Robert Goode at the above address. All valid objections or representations are carefully considered before a decision on whether to confirm the order is made. 

The Council will write to you again when that decision has been made. In the meantime, if you would like any further information or have any questions about this letter, please contact Robert Goode on 020 8726 6000 Ext 50011 

Pete Smith 
Head of Development Management

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 

Croydon Council 

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER No. 18/00014/TPO 

The Sandrock 152 Upper Shirley Road Croydon CR0 5HA

Croydon Council, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 198 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 make the following Order 
Citation 

1. This Order may be cited as: 

Croydon Croydon 

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER No.18/00014/TPO 

The Sandrock 152 Upper Shirley Road Croydon CR0 SHA 

Interpretation 
2(1). In this Order "the authority" means Croydon Council 
2(2). In this Order any reference to a numbered section is a reference to the section so numbered in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and any reference to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation so numbered in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation)(England) Regulations 2012. 
Effect 
3(1). Subject to article 4, this Order takes effect provisionally on: 
18th September 2018 
3(2). Without prejudice to subsections (7) of section 198 {power to make tree preservation orders) or subsection (1) of section 200 (tree preservation orders: Forestry Commissioners), and subject to the exceptions in regulation 14, no person shall -
(a) cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy; or
(b) cause or permit the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of, 
any tree specified in the Schedule to this order except with the written consent of the authority in accordance with regulations 16 and 17, or of the Secretary of State in accordance with regulation 23, and, where such consent is given subject to conditions, in accordance with those conditions. 
Application to trees to be planted pursuant to a condition 
4. In relation any tree identified in the first column of the Schedule by the letter "C", being a tree to be planted pursuant to a condition imposed under paragraph (a) of section 197 (planning permission to include appropriate provision for preservation and planting of trees), this Order takes effect as from the time when the tree is planted.
Dated: 18th September 2018

Sandrock - Tree Preservation Order

We have noticed that a Tree Preservation Order has been placed on trees within the ground of the Sandrock. No idea how/if this affects the planning application, but the details are posted on a sign in the lamppost outside the pub.