Agenda item

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: Yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

RESOLVED: To

1.    Approve the publication of the Croydon Local Plan Review (Issues and Options) consultation document (at Appendix 1 of the report) for public consultation under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2012; and

2.    Delegate minor and/or factual changes to the Croydon Local Plan Review (Issues and Options) consultation document prior to publication for consultation to the Director of the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share).

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) introduced the report and showed a presentation to Cabinet regarding the Consultation on the Croydon Local Plan Review and the key drivers for reviewing; climate change, the housing crisis, new London Plan, and sustainable growth.

Members were informed that climate change was a key priority and driver for the review. There was a growing population and an increasing demand for smaller homes; 46,000 new homes needed to be delivered in the next 20 years due to the housing crisis. From 1600 hours on 21 October 2019 (the day of Croydon Cabinet) the panel of inspectors who were reviewing the London Plan had published their findings, and following the Mayor of London’s consideration the final report it would be published by the end of 2019. The significant finding was that the housing delivering in London had reduced from 65,000 to 52,000 new homes due to the concerns from the inspectors of the intensification in the suburbs. It was expected that there would be a reduction of new homes in Croydon; however, the consultation would continue with the draft plan to provide 29,490 new homes in ten years. Sustainable growth was imperative to provide homes and protect the distinct places in the Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) noted that the strategic options included in the consultation were: to introduce all new homes in an urban area, creating a more intensive development in a few suburban areas, to intensify the Purley Way to deliver up to 12,000 new homes, or to release limited areas of Green Belt for housing. The level of change would vary from place to place but the areas which could accommodate further homes had been suggested, especially those with strong transport links.

It was further explained to Cabinet that the transformation of the Purley Way would include the retention of businesses and industry areas. The Mayor of London had granted Croydon Council just over £300k to develop a master plan for the Purley Way area. The development of the Green Belt for housing was controversial and not preferable; however, a number of stakeholders, residents and resident associations had requested that this was part of the consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) explained that there was a climate emergency and there had been significant flooding in some areas of Croydon. Through the development of new homes the Council would support the London Plan and drive towards zero carbon development, begin reforestation in the borough, enable sustainable refurbishment of existing housing stock and ensure new builds had sustainable urban drainage systems. There was high concentration of Green Grid in the south of the borough and the Local Plan would include the retention of the natural environment and would include a net gain in biodiversity through the new developments. He added that the Council would want to work with communities to protect important green spaces.

The consultation was due to start on 8 November 2019, rather than 1 November, and to close on 8 January 2020. A number of events would take place across the Borough; an urban room in the Whitgift Centre, exhibitions, workshops, market stalls, and local school visits. Following the consultation the responses would be considered and discussed with Members of the Council, the proposed submission publication for comment in autumn 2020, have a final public examination in spring/summer 2021 and then final adoption in early 2020.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Planning expressed concern for the number of contentious options mentioned by the Cabinet Member and included within the report, and noted that there were a number of contradictions throughout the presentation; developing on the Green Belt would not support the climate emergency. The character in areas of the Borough would be changed, in particular when removing the Green Belt; he noted serious concern for once the development of the Green Belt begun then it would not stop. The removal of the Green Belt was not in line with the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) or the London Mayor.

It was further stated that the feedback received from the London Plan inspectors should be considered, especially in regards to the reduction of housing required, before the Plan went out for consultation.

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport raised concerns for developing on Green Belt land and noted that it should not have been proposed and included in the consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) responded to the concerns raised and explained that there was a clear housing need and the Council needed to meet the requirements and deliver the necessary homes outlined by the Government. Local residents and resident associations had requested that Green Belt land was considered for development due to their concerns of intensification in local areas and neighbourhoods; if the consultation results indicated that intensification was the preferred option of the local residents, then this would shape the Local Plan. Three small areas of land were being looked at for possible release, these being two agricultural fields and one unused golf course, all of which had strong transport links.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) assured there would not be a negative impact on the Green Grid as biodiversity would be increased and reforestation would begin. He also stated that no playgrounds in the Borough had been lost, as suggested by the media; any playgrounds that had been temporarily lost due to development had been re-provided. There would not be any parks lost either.

He concluded and explained that he was requesting that residents think about the proposals in a balanced way before responding and if none of the options were preferred then an alternative would be sought.

Councillor Hay-Justice noted that the required housing for the borough was highly ambitious but crucial and was pleased that the administration was being open and honest about the current situation, as difficult choices would need to be made. She further added that residents were being offered 125% above the market rate by property developers and understood why they did not turn these offers down. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share, non-voting) agreed and added that the Council needed to be providing housing in addition to property developers; if the targets were not delivered through the Local Plan then property developers would begin developing on the Green Belt.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

RESOLVED: To

1.    Approve the publication of the Croydon Local Plan Review (Issues and Options) consultation document (at Appendix 1 of the report) for public consultation under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2012; and

2.    Delegate minor and/or factual changes to the Croydon Local Plan Review (Issues and Options) consultation document prior to publication for consultation to the Director of the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share).