Loss of ‘Local Green Space’ Protection in Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood

Consultation Link: Croydon local plan: detailed policies and proposals (CLP2)
Closes 10th October 2017

Modifications are being made to Croydon Local Plan than means removing the additional “Local Green Space” planning protection designations in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood.  Currently, Metropolitan Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and Local Green Spaces are all safeguarded and protected by national policy and the London Plan. The modified Croydon plan notes there is “…increased Croydon’s housing requirements” and  includes “Deletion of all Local Green Spaces from the Plan” in Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood.  These “detailed policies” modifications in CLP2 are additional to “strategic policies” changes in CLP1.1.

The new “Local Green Space” modifications will delete all “Local Green Space” planning designations for:

• Beaulieu Heights
• Stamboune Woods
• The Lawns
• Westow Park
• Convent Wood
• All Saints with St Margaret’s Churchyard
• The Upper Norwood Recreation Ground
  See “Table 9.1 – All proposed Local Green Spaces”, Pg7 here

Deleting “Local Green Space” designation means this additional protection for their special quality and character made under Local Green Space designation will be removed, and loosing this consideration in future planning considerations. These Green Spaces may no longer be awarded the additional site-specific protection under Croydon’s Green Spaces Policy  SP7.2 Policy (click to read) where “The Council will protect and safeguard the extent of the borough’s Metropolitan Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and local green spaces.” (see page 87 of Croydon Local Plan: Strategic Policies – Partial Review (Main Modifications – Aug2017).  Some of the spaces already have some protection Croydon-North – General Planning Policy Areas Map and the LGS Designation List (provided 9th Oct). The additional Local Green Space designation would set an enduring and high bar to the sites to enjoy the same level of protection as Green Belt land.

The modified Local Plan (in CLP2) has many revisions to Council planning policy towards ‘Local Green Spaces’ (even if designated later). The proposed changes indicate Croydon may conduct a review separately on Local Green Spaces or “Alternatively, reliance can be placed on London Plan…”

Act now, if you want to have your say!

You can make a representation by emailing ldf@croydon.gov.uk .  Completing the representation form (click here to download) or emailing direct, regarding modifications to “Local Green Space” designations in Croydon’s local plan: Main Modifications to the Detailed Policies and Proposals (Proposed Submission):  

• Reference:  MMD86, “Deletion of all Local Green Spaces from the Plan”
  Place: “Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood”,
  Paragraph: shown on Page 19 in the document (click to read):
  Detailed Policies and Proposals showing Main Modifications (excluding Appendix 7)
• “Table 9.1 – All proposed Local Green Spaces”
  “Local Green Space to be removed from the Croydon Local Plan”:
  Convent Wood; Upper Norwood Recreation Ground; Westow Park; Stamborne Woodland Walk; The Lawns; All Saints with St Margaret’s Churchyard; Beulieu Heights.
  Shown on Page 7 in the document (click to read):
  Croydon Local Plan – Detailed Policies and Proposals (Main Modifications) (Appendix 7)
  

For comments to be duly made, then they must:

• Be received by the Council between 29 August and 10 October 2017 (inclusive);
• Include a name and either an e-mail or postal address all of which must be legible;
• Not contain offensive or derogatory language; and
• Detail if related to ‘Main Modifications to the Detailed Policies and Proposals (Proposed Submission)’ under CLP2, or Main Modifications to Strategic Policies (under CLP1.1) .  The former details the deletion of Local Green Space designations.
• Full details of Croydon’s CLP2 consultation are here.
• For each Local Green Space designation, describe what in particularly deems them “special” and/or “significant”, making them “demonstrably special character” and of “particular significance”.  Details about the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) are shown below in background info.
  

For enquirers on CPneighbours, email info@cpneighbours.org, and email to share your representations supporting ‘Local Green Space’ designations in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood.

News: Residents have 48 hours to save 70 parks and open spaces

Croydon’s Local Plan proposals for Local Green Spaces were commented in the Inspector’s report (click here “Observations on Local Green Space”, and explains more about why sites were removed. This inspector’s report comments on Appendix 1 on the Council’s Technical Paper  (click here) .

Inside Croydon report notes, residents making representations about one or more park or open space in the consultation need to outline:

• Why any/all of these places are special,
• What makes them special, and
• Why a de-designation and possible loss of these spaces would be detrimental.

And suggests coping responses to to Steve.Dennington@croydon.gov.uk and your Croydon ward councillors.

Web: Residents have 48 hours to save 70 parks and open spaces 

List by Ward of all Croydon Councillors  << click here>>
To find out your Ward / Councillor, enter your post code << click here>> 

News: 9th Oct 2017

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