More than 260 Coulsdon residents have objected to this bungalow becoming a block of flats
They say it's typical of Croydon Council's policy of 'indiscriminately' approving planning applications
Tara O'ConnorLocal Democracy Reporter
Resdients of Marlpit Laneare objecting to turning the bungalow into flats (Image: David Cook)
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Plans to convert a bungalow in Coulsdon into flats have gathered more than 200 objections. A planning application to transform the home in Marlpit Lane is set to be decided by Croydon Council tonight (Thursday, July 18).
It is recommended for approval by officers but neighbours think the proposal is out of keeping with the rest of the road.If approved it will be made up of four two-bedroom flats, a three-bedroom and one bedroom flat as well as nine parking spaces.
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A document going to the planning committee states that the design of the three-storey building would be in keeping with the surrounding residential area.
As it would be made up of nine flats it means there is no requirement to provide any affordable housing.
But Paul Harper, 59, who lives next door to the bungalow said: "It is completely out of scale in relation to the other properties surrounding it.
"The height of the proposed building will completely overshadow the other properties, it is far too high. And there are 11 windows which will overlook us."
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And he is not the only person concerned with a total of 268 people submitted written objections to the scheme.
Frances Bovington who also lives in the lane thinks that the proposed flats would not meet minimum space standards and now have enough play space for children.
She said: "For some time, Croydon's Labour-run council has been granting planning permissions indiscriminately.
"More than 90% of all applications are getting approved by the planning committee which are routinely allowing family housing to be destroyed and replaced with small blocks of flats whereas the neighbouring boroughs of Bromley and Sutton do not allow this.
Residents in Marlpit Lane do not want to see the bunglow redeveloped (Image: David Cook)
"We do need more homes, but blocks of flats should go on brownfield sites and in Croydon town centre.
"The council would then have no reason to destroy houses in suburban and village areas, which changes the character of the area and removes much-needed homes for families."
But at a full council on Monday (July 15) councillors rejected calls for the council to adopt a brownfield first policy.
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Councillors said the council already technically has one but that most of the brownfield sites in the town centre are already in use.
The planning committee will meet at 6.30pm on Thursday, July 18 at Croydon Town Hall.