Welcome to Norbury Watch

I  created this blog as a way of bringing together details of news and issues about the  Norbury area of the London Borough of Croydon, given the growing number of community and other types of organisations active in the area and the events they run, and the wide range of issues of concern to residents. See more in the About section.

Sean Creighton: sean.creighton1947@btinternet.com

I am a member of the Norbury Village Residents Association and  Love Norbury Committees and Chair of the Norbury Community Land Trust. I was a member of the Council’s Norbury Regeneration Steering Group with the local Councillors and representatives of the Residents Associations and other local groupswhich stopped meeting because of the pandemic. I research and publish on aspects of Norbury’s history and set up with the late  David Clark the informal Norbury History Group. I also run a blog site on Croydon events, issues and news:

https://seancreighton1947.wordpress.com

Residents Associations

There are four Residents Associations:

• Norbury Green (NGRA)
• Norbury Village (NVRA)
• Pollards Hill (PHRA)
• Scots Estate (SERA)

whose areas are on both sides of London Rd,

Love Norbury Partnership

The four London Rd area Residents Associations set up the Love Norbury Partnership to work together on common issues and to organise joint events like London Rd Clean Up days, Summer festivals, the ‘Xmas’ lights on the lamp posts, and the Xmas Fayres.

• http://lovenorbury.org.uk

Since May 2019 the Partnership has been opened up to other local groups, currently the Friends of Norbury  and Norbury Hall Parks, the Bowling Club in Turle Rd, the Cassandra Centre above Lloyd’s Bank, and until recently the Norbury Community Land Trust (see below).

Knitting Norbury Together

This group is linked in with Love Norbury. It decorates the streets and events. For more details contact ann.creighton@btinternet.com

Friends of the Parks

With the help of the Residents Associations the following Friends of the Parks groups have been set up:

Friends of Norbury Park: https://www.friendsofnorburypark.org

Friends of Norbury Hall Park: http://norburyhallpark.org.uk

Other groups and activities

Litter Free Norbury, established December 2020 and now a registered charity.

www.litterfreenorbury.org/blog

Local faith groups, which run coffee mornings, quiz nights and fairs.

Allotments Society

Norbury Community Land Trust – this will be wound up by end of 2023

Norbury Bowls Club

Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/NorburyParkLTC

Cassandra Learning Centre

Darby & Joan Club, inc whist

There are also small groups and initiatives by individuals such the residents of 1-6 Semley Close, and the residents in Radnor House,  gardening groups, the reading group at the Library, and Street Champions (litter and fly-tipping).

Norbury and the Council 

Norbury is divided into two electoral wards along the railway line with two Councillors each.Since May 2022 they are:

Norbury & Pollards Hill:

 leila.ben-hassel@croydon.gov.uk

matt.griffiths@croydon.gov.uk

Norbury Park:

alisa.flemming@croydon.gov.uk

Appu.Srinivasan@croydon.gov.uk

Norbury Regeneration Steering Group

In March 2019 the Council set up the Norbury Regeneration Steering Group comprising the four Councillors, the five residents associations, the two Friends of the Parks groups,  Community Land Trust and Cassandra Learning Centre. Other local groups wishing to may also become members or ask to speak to the Committee. It has not met since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

Norbury’s MP

Norbury is in Croydon North Parliamentary constituency. The MP is Steve Reed re-elected in the General Election in December 2019. At the next General Election a new constituency of North Croydon and Streatham will be in existence, and will include the two Norbury wards.

https://www.stevereedmp.co.uk

COVID Pandemic

From March 2020 organised activities by the local organisations  had to be suspended, such as the summer and Christmas Fayres and member and  public meetings. The Library was unable to re-open in January after refurbishment. The Councillors could not hold their advice surgeries. The only group that has been able to be active on the streets was Knitting Norbury Together. Cassandra  Centre was involved in providing hot meals to elderly and vulnerable residents. It was able to provide Christmas hampers with funding support from Love  Norbury and the Residents Associations. The groups  kept their eye  on local issues, including through Zoom Committee meetings, and making representations especially on planning.

December 2021 Update

With the easing of COVID lockdown local organisations in September the local organisations began to plan their activities.  The celebratory opening of the Library planned for July  and then September had to be cancelled. The Library is open for book borrowing etc. Love Norbury ran its Xmas Fayre on 27 November 2021. Cassandra Centre re-started its Thursday lunch and activities club and its family and children’s activities, including a December trip to the pantomine. Litter Free Norbury members  continued their picking up litter, reporting fly-tips and removed graffiti. Using Councillors ward budget money Love Norbury has a three year contract for the  Xmas lights from the Station up towards Pollards Hill.

In recent months activity has increased with the Cassandra lunch club, Annual General Meetings,the Love Norbury Summer Fayre, Litter Free Norbury monthly clean-ups, the Methodist Church Wednesday morning drop-in cafe, Knitting Together for Norbury and culminates in a series of Xmas events by local churches and Love Norbury in November and December 2022.

October 2023 Update

The proposed Library re-opening did not take place. Instead Love Norbury and the Library organised a Norbury Literary Festival in May, with free, new and second hand books and talks. NVRA and the Land Trust paid for the digitisation and printing of history posters that used to be displayed at the Railway Station to enable them to be displayed at the Library and for future use in Love Norbury’s negotiations for improvements to the area around the Railway Station. Unable to acquire any shop premises, including the closed Halifax branch the Land Trust has decided to wind up. Litter Free Norbury has continued its monthly special litter picks around the two wards. Friends of Norbury Park has been revitalised. Litter Free Norbury and local residents have created Maggie’s Garden just over the border in Lambeth on Green Lane opposite the side road to Lidl. The Love Norbury financed Festive lights will be switched on again for the rest of 2023.

Norbury Planning Update 4 December

Applications

30 Hillcote Avenue. Erection of outbuilding in the rear garden & alterations including provision of side/rear terrace and installation of privacy screens on boundary (part retrospective).

67A Stanford Road. Erection of single storey rear extension projecting out 6 metres with a maximum height of 3.5 metres.  

Approvals

22 Arnulls Road. Conversion of garage to home gym and associated internal alterations. 

25 Colebrook Road. Alterations, erection of part single/two storey rear extension.

82 Dalmeny Avenue. Erection of a single storey rear extension.

4 Dunbar Avenue. Use of one room as a private office space for private and taxi hire booking services.  

63 Fairview Road. Conversion of garage/store into 1 no studio flat with external alterations. 

46 Georgia Road. Single storey front and two storey side extensions.  

66 Green Lane. Hip to gable loft conversion, erection of rear dormer and installation of three rooflights on the front roof slope.  

7 Lloyd Avenue. Dormer roof extension, with Juliet balcony, in rear roof slope and single storey rear extension following demolition of existing. 

224 Norbury Avenue. Single storey and first floor rear extensions, first floor side extension, porch and installation of solar panels on the rear roof slope. 

66 Pollards Hill North Development Site. Discharge of Conditions on materials.

9 Springfield Road. Alteration of roof from hip to gable end, erection of roof extension with Juliet balcony to rear of main roof slope and installation of two rooflights to front roof slope. 

32 Springfield Road. Extension and alterations to existing outbuilding.  

78 Stanford Road. Dormer roof extension with Juliet balcony to rear roof slope and installation of three roof lights to front roof slope. 

Not Approved – 1 Abingdon Rd

Discharge of Condition 3 (Cycle Storage) of LPA ref: 22/00795/FUL (Conversion of existing house to 3 flats, with internal alterations and provision of refuse and cycle facilities (part retrospective) (Amended Description). Officer assessment: ‘The cycle store has not been provided in accordance with the LCDS or Cambridge Cycle Design Guide which is considered best practice. All three residential units need to be able to access their bikes independently of each other which cannot be accommodated in the proposed store. There is also limited space to gain access and egress from the three spaces closest to the property. The proposed store appears to be too small to provide storage for six cycles, it is also noted that it would not be possible for individual cycles to be removed from the store without other cycles being removed first. Furthermore no provision has been made for any wider adaptive bikes which require an additional 1.5m width. With the inclusion of wider/adaptive bikes, Officers would expect the store to be of sufficient size so residents are able to enter the store (circa 2m in height). For reasons discussed above, the cycle storage is not planning policy compliant.’

Not Approved – The Mews Norbury Crescent

Non-Material Amendment seeking alteration of wording of description to ‘Erection of part two/part three-story building, use of the first and second floor as residential with E and Sui Generis uses at ground floor and associated courtyard and landscaping’  Reason: ‘The proposed proposal description is considered to accommodate uses within the approved development that would be materially different to those stated in the approved proposal description and limited by Condition 16 (Use Restrictions) attached to the extant and associated Planning Permission ref. 19/06051/FUL. Therefore, Planning Permission would be required for the proposed amendment.

Refused – Adjacent 1 Dunbar Avenue 

Demolition of existing garage and erection of 1-bedroom dwelling. Reasons:

‘1 The dwelling would be detrimental to the character of the area by reason of the design, appearance and layout…..

2 The development would result in sub-standard accommodation by reason of inadequate private amenity space…’

Refused – 30A Gibson’s Hill

Demolition of existing garage and erection of 2 x semi-detached dwellings with a 2-bay garage for one dwelling, outbuilding for one dwelling with parking spaces, landscaping, refuse and cycle stores and associated works. Reasons:

‘1 It has not been demonstrated that the resulting height, scale and massing of the proposed dwelling would not have a detrimental impact upon the Croydon Panorama. Furthermore, the proposed design, architectural expression, bulk, massing, height and site layout would constitute an overdevelopment of the site which fails to reflect the built form in the immediate locality……

2 The proposed height, scale and overall massing of the proposed dwellings would have a significant overbearing and visually intrusive impact upon the existing dwellings in the immediate locality and would result in undue light pollution which would be unduly detrimental to the amenities of neighbouring occupiers. Furthermore, it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would not result in undue loss of daylight and sunlight…..

3 The proposal would involve the loss of trees and vegetation and the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the loss of this resulting from the proposed development would be acceptable and no details of suitable replacement planting have been provided……

4 It has not been suitably demonstrated that the proposal would not result in the loss and/or disturbance to habitats used by protected species, and no surveys or mitigation measures have been submitted to justify this development in this location……

5 The proposed development would fail to provide sufficient pedestrian and vehicular access width and visibility splays, insufficient parking layout and the proposal also fails to demonstrate acceptable delivery and servicing to serve the site with insufficient refuse storage and collection arrangements demonstrated…..

6 The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would not contribute to the cause and effect of flooding …..

7 It has not been demonstrated that the development would meet the required fire safety standards…..

8 In the absence of a legal agreement, the application does not offer a contribution to improvements to sustainable transport to alleviate traffic generation created by the development……’

Refused – 70-72 Kensington Avenue 

Erection of a row of five (2) two-storey terrace dwellinghouses with roof level accommodation (following demolition of two (2) existing single-storey dwellinghouses), Associated amenity, cycle parking, and waste storage spaces, and Alterations including landscaping and removal of existing vehicle crossovers. Reasons:

‘1. Insufficient information and details regarding existing and proposed site levels on the application and adjoining sites have been provided to allow the Local Planning Authority to assess whether any of the boundary treatments, building, and retaining walls, or combination thereof, to be erected/formed as part of the proposed development would give rise to any undue impacts on the residential amenities provided by adjoining properties…..

2 The proposal has failed to demonstrate how the development would provide a minimum of two (2) covered and secured cycle storage spaces within the curtilage of the each proposed dwellinghouse that would be easily accessible and designed in accordance with the standards adopted in the London Plan (2021) and best practice guidance provided within the Cambridge Cycle Parking Guide (2010) to the detriment of providing adequate facilities for cyclists and increasing the use of active and sustainable modes of transport…..

3 The proposed two-storey row of terrace dwellinghouses, by virtue of its design, height, massing, and site coverage, would constitute an overdevelopment of the application site that would appear conspicuously overbearing and disproportionate, as well as, out of keeping with the appearance and form of development within the local setting to the detriment of the visual amenity it provides. Similarly, the boundary treatments and storage provisions proposed within the forecourts of the proposed development, by virtue of their height, would appear incongruous and out of keeping with the Kensington Avenue street scene to the detriment of the visual amenity it provides. Additionally, insufficient details on the model and type of solar panels to be installed as part of the proposed development have been provided to ensure that the resulting development would harmonise with the rest of the roofscape, neighbouring buildings and the surrounding area…..

4 Insufficient information was provided on design measures and supporting strategies to ensure adequate fire safety for future occupiers of the development to the detriment of public safety…..

5 Insufficient information and details were provided to demonstrate that the implementation of the proposed development would not result in the excessive pruning or loss of existing trees that are located within or in close proximity to the application site and provide amenity to the host and adjoining properties, as well as, contribute to urban greening and biodiversity…… 6 The proposal has failed to clearly and accurately demonstrate that the demand for vehicle parking spaces to be generated by the proposed development could be adequately and safely met with existing on-street vehicle parking space in the immediate area of the application site without detriment to the availability of on-street vehicle parking, movement of vehicular traffic on local streets, and safety of all highway users…..

7 The proposal has failed to demonstrate how the development would provide acceptable arrangements for storing, collecting and managing the solid waste to be generated by the proposed development to the detriment of safeguarding public health, reducing and managing waste generated by the development, and keeping local highways clear of visual blight and impediments to movement…..’

Refused – 111 Pollards Hill South

Erection of first floor rear extension, Alteration of roof from hip to gable end, Erection of rear dormer (with Juliet balcony) and Installation of two rooflights in front roofslope.  Reason: ‘The proposed rear first floor extension by virtue of its bulk and design would cause harm to the appearance of the host property and the character of the area….’

Norbury Update 4 December

Norbury Library Not Under Threat

It appears that Norbury Library will not be closed under the Mayor’s new package of cuts in the Library Service, which is thought to involve four to five libraries, according to Inside Croydon. The cuts paper was supposed to go to the Cabinet this Thursday, but has been held over until next year.

Croydon Up-date

Croydon Update 3 December

Wednesday 13 December. Norbury & Pollards Hill – Cuppa with a Copper

Norbury Methodist Church

The SNT Newsletter does not state the time.

Thursday 14 December. 7pm. Love Norbury Annual Christmas Sing-a-Long 

Good voices, bad voices all welcome – it’s the Christmas spirit that counts!

Norbury Railway Station (outside Zara)

Norbury SNTs November Newsletter

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/November%20newsletter.pdf

Northwood Rd Park Children’s Playground

The new children’s playground was opened on 22 November.

Gaza And Norbury

Several businesses along London Rd have been raising money for medicines etc for Gaza. The Norbury Muslim Centre has been supporting the call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Norbury & Pollards Hill Labour Party is holding a fund-raising dinner for the British Red Cross’s work in Gaza and Israel. On 4 November there was a demonstration at the entrance to Norbury Park.

https://www.facebook.com/NorburyMuslimCentre

Reuter’s has reported that a 2022 Eid event in Norbury Park has been subject to Islamophobic misrepresentation.

https://dunyanews.tv/en/FakeNews/774861-Fact-Check:-Video-shows-special-prayer-event-for-Eid-al-Azha

Guttering Scammers Active In Croydon

A resident of central Croydon has reported that two males cold called at his home offering to clear his gutter for £39.00 and replace a seal for £25.00.  After a while the men knocked at the door and advised that they had actually replaced 10 seals at £25.00 each and cleared the gutter for £39.00.  They demanded cash payment and became aggressive when the resident advised that he only had sufficient cash to cover the original amount that they had quoted and agreed upon. Croydon Trading Standards reminds all residents not to deal with traders who cold call at your door and to look out for your neighbours who may try to engage these types of trader to do work for them. If you are a victim of doorstep crime, or wish to report cold callers, please ring the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.  

David Clark’s Histories of Norbury

As Christmas rushes towards us it you may want to give inexpensive gifts to friends and families. The late David Clark’s Norbury Histories only cost £1.50 each.

Highways and By Ways of Norbury

History of Sport in Norbury

Norbury at War

Norbury Cottage Garden Estate

Norbury Hall

Norbury History Walk to Norwood Grove and The Rookery

Pollards Hill

Orders to sean.creighton1947@btinternet.com

Sales proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research, which David volunteered with at the London Rd shop.

Norbury & Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel 21 November 7pm

Having had a discussion with a member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team in my capacity as interim Chair of the Panel, the meeting being held at the Norbury Methodist Church the agenda will include:

• The notes of the last meeting
• Adopting the Met Police SNP Terms of Reference
• SNT update on the priorities agreed at the last meeting and other actions
• Croydon initiatives on knives and domestic violence
• The reconstituted Safer Neighbourhood Board on which the Mayor and three Councillors sit with the police, three Chairs of SNPs and other groups
• Crime statistics for the ward
• Electing a permanent Chair and Secretary

The meeting will need to consider how to ensure how the membership of the Panel can be as inclusive as possible of the different sections to the community under Clause 3(d) of the terms of reference.

The Terms of Reference

From Met Police Ward Panel Community Members Handbook

Ward panels should use these core terms of reference without amendment or deletion and may make any additions that are consistent with the current Metropolitan Police Ward Panel Framework.

1. Name The name of the ward panel shall be Ward Panel.

2. Aims The aims of the ward panel shall be:

a. To ensure the local community is closely involved in setting the ward level priorities for the ward and Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)

b. To support activity on the ward priorities

c. To scrutinise the work of the SNT

d. To encourage and support community members to become more closely involved in problem solving and crime prevention

e. To support the SNT in building trust and confidence within the wider community

f. To be representative of their community and have considerable reach within the community

g. To assist the police in increasing community engagement, for example through community contact sessions

h. To support groups within the ward that have a focus on crime prevention and community safety, such as Neighbourhood Watch.

3. Membership

a. The maximum number of members shall be 25.

b. Membership requirements – each member of the ward panel shall:

• live, work or study in the ward

• support the aims of the ward panel and agree with the terms of reference

• represent their community and have considerable reach within it.

c. Members shall between them be drawn from all parts of the ward.

d. Members shall between them represent the following:

• Local residents

• Significant demographic groups

• Young people

• Local traders, businesses, enterprises and industrial estates

• Local tenant and resident associations

• Different housing types

• Local community groups, societies and associations

• Educational establishments e. In addition to members, the ward panel shall include the following local partners:

• Ward councillors

• Local authority officers for anti-social behaviour, safety or crime prevention

• Providers of community support and public housing

f. Each member shall have one vote. Partners shall have no voting rights.

4. The role of members

a. New members may be added to the panel at any ward panel meeting by a simple majority of members present and voting at the meeting who are satisfied that the person meets the membership requirements and will contribute to breadth of representation.

b. Anyone interested in becoming a ward panel member shall be asked to contact the chair or SNT.

c. Members shall have tenure for one year, after which membership can be renewed by a simple majority vote. d. Members shall attend ward panel meetings, convey community concerns to the SNT and information from the SNT to the community, and be responsible for setting ward priorities.

e. Members shall seek new members to enhance the breadth of representation and achieve a continued refreshing of membership.

5. The role of officers

a. The ward panel shall have a chair.

b. The chair shall be a member of the ward panel (not a partner) who lives in the ward or who works or studies predominantly in the ward.

c. The chair shall be elected at a ward panel meeting.

d. The chair shall have tenure for one year and may be re-elected once or more.

e. The chair shall:

• attend and chair all meetings (or nominate a deputy) • set the agenda for all meetings

• agree with the SNT the date, time and location of each meeting well in advance

• arrange that information required for the meeting is circulated in time

• communicate with the SNT to arrange that meetings take place at least every three months

• represent the ward panel at events and meetings invited to.

f. By electing a secretary or otherwise, the ward panel shall arrange to keep records of members, the attendance at each meeting and the agreed priorities and actions.

6. Code of conduct

a. Members should act in the public interest and not use their position to promote a private, party-political or personal interest. If members or their close contacts have an interest in, or may benefit from, a matter to be discussed, they should disclose it. The ward panel should then decide whether the member should withdraw from that part of the meeting.

b. Members and partners should:

• not use offensive behaviour or make inflammatory remarks

• not harass, discriminate against or denigrate any group or individual by reference to any protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation), their health or political beliefs, or on any other grounds

• not work against the interests of the ward panel or seek to bring the ward panel into disrepute

• not impose on each other excessive or unreasonable amounts of work

• not impose work on the SNT that is outside their job. 7. Conduct

a. Members and partners shall abide by the code of conduct.

b. A member may be deselected by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a meeting if the member:

• fails to abide by the code of conduct or any part of the terms of reference

• no longer meets the membership requirements

• has failed to attend three consecutive meetings without a reason deemed acceptable to the panel

• by their presence or membership would undermine the credibility or legitimacy of the ward panel or fundamentally weaken aspects of its work.

c. Members shall have the right to appeal against any decision to deselect them. The ward panel shall hear the appeal at a meeting and decide whether to uphold it. This decision shall be final.

d. The terms of reference shall be available to members of the public. If anyone is concerned that a ward panel member meets any of the criteria for deselection, they should draw this to the attention of the chair or the SNT sergeant, who shall follow it up.

8. Complaints procedure

If a member or partner wishes to complain about a member or partner, they should:

• in the first instance discuss it with the person

• if this does not resolve the complaint, send it in writing to the chair, who shall follow it up

• if this does not resolve the complaint, send it in writing to the SNT sergeant, who shall follow it up.

9. Ward panel meetings

a. Meetings shall take place at least every three months.

b. At least 14 days’ notice of a meeting shall be given to all members and partners.

c. The agenda items shall between them include police action on previous priorities, crime and antisocial behaviour data, community concerns, choosing priorities and the type of action to be taken, evaluating and suggesting community contact sessions, and setting the date for the next meeting.

d. Priorities shall be agreed through discussion or chosen by vote.

e. At least three members must be present for votes on membership, officers, deselection, dissolution or amendments to the terms of reference.

f. The ward panel shall allow public access to at least one meeting per year that is held in a venue.

g. The ward panel shall publicise that members of the public can contact the SNT if they would like to attend a meeting.

10. Alterations to the terms of reference

a. The terms of reference may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a meeting.

b. Any proposal to amend the terms of reference must be circulated to all members with the notice of the meeting.

11. Restructure or dissolution

a. The ward panel may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a meeting. b. Any proposal to dissolve the ward panel must be circulated to all members with the notice of the meeting.

c. Police retain the right to dissolve or restructure a panel which is, in whole or in part, not abiding by the terms of reference or no longer synonymous with the good of the wider community but should consult the central SNT unit for advice before any such action is taken. All members must sign below that they will abide by the terms of reference set out above.

Norbury Update 18 November

Congratulations to Litter Free Norbury on receiving just over £1,600 funding from the Co-op  

LFN’s says: ‘Many thanks to the Co-op for accepting us into the scheme and allowing us to advertise within the Norbury Store. Also of course huge thanks to all local residents who chose LFN as their local cause and provided donations to us when using their blue member card doing their shopping. We are truly grateful.’

As part of his plan to sell off assets the Mayor proposes to sell the lease of the land occupied by the Norbury Tennis Club to it, and the Ladels Day Nursery, Highbury Road, to its current provider.

Planning

Applications

55 Ederline Avenue, Tennis Club And Premises Rear. Construction of 2 porous asphalt tennis courts and installation of LED floodlighting, fencing and associated works.  

321 Norbury Avenue. Change of use from single dwelling house to 5-bedroom 6-person HMO (house in multiple occupation) (retrospective). 

Approvals

1 Harefield Road.  Change of use from a dwelling house for the provision of care for 2 children and a team of support staff living together as a single household.  

111 Strathyre Avenue. Use of existing dwellinghouse for the provision of care for 2 young people and a team of 2 support staff living together as a single household.

135 Strathyre Avenue. Erection of single storey rear extension (following demolition of existing rear extension). Erection of rear dormer roof extension (following removal of existing rear rooflights). 

Refusal – 6 Westminster Avenue

Conversion of loft to habitable space, erection of hip to gable and erection of rear dormer. Conversion and extension of existing outbuilding and all associated works. Reason: ‘The proposed hip to gable and rear dormer roof extensions would detract from the character and appearance of the dwelling and its semi detached pair, and would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the street scene by reason of is bulk, mass and design’.

Local Community Action And The Role of Residents’ Associations

The decisions of Pollards Hill Residents Association to leave the Love Norbury Partnership and of Norbury Community Land Trust to wind up has reminded me of previous debates I have been involved in relation to community action at neighbourhood level and the role of Residents Associations.

Community action can be positive and negative. On the positive side we have seen the creation of the two Friends of the Parks groups and Litter Free Norbury. On the negative side we saw the collapse of the former Norbury Park Residents Association, and the loss of the premises of the Cassandra Centre as a result of the decision of the building owner, which also involved the closure of Lloyds Bank.

The Historic Role of Community Action

Volunteering and active citizenship have been a feature of charity, community, faith, and mutual and voluntary organisations for over 200 years in Britain.

One of the aims of the Settlement movement (e.g. Toynbee Hall & Oxford House in the East End) founded by Anglican Christians  in the 1880s was to immerse Oxford students in living and working alongside the poor and the working class in the hope that it would influence their outlooks when they became politicians and civil servants. Clem Atlee, the Labour Prime Minister 1945-51, is perhaps one of the finest examples of someone who  benefited from his involvement in the Settlement movement. The aim to support and foster collective action and build people’s confidence still motivates the work of Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea High St.

While volunteering and active citizenship can have powerful results in changing individual and family lives, we need to be aware that the causes of the problems that bring people together be alleviated but not ended. Why is this?

What Are The Problems In Our Neighbourhoods?

One way to explore the answer is to think about the nature of the neighbourhoods in which we live. Litter and graffiti, crime and anti-social behaviour, run-down and derelict buildings, high unemployment, low income, isolated elderly, disaffected youth, poor quality shops, inadequate public transport, social  isolation, ill health, and racism, affect every neighbourhood in various ways, with some experiencing particular problems in a greater way than others.

How has this happened? Who influences the development of our neighbourhoods?

When I have posed these questions in the past as an exercise in training sessions for community groups and community development students, participants have replied residents and their associations, shopkeepers, businesses, community and voluntary groups, car owners, transport operators, landlords, utility companies, the NHS, the local Council, housing associations, schools and colleges, social services, police, political parties, businesses, faith groups, landlords and developers, and  transport operators.Can you think of any others?

Given this complexity of influences on the neighbourhood, how much influence is exercised by neighbourhood based organisations such as  residents and tenants groups, faith organisations whose congregations live in the neighbourhood, specialist  interest groups (such as mothers), community associations, and social and sports clubs? Do they work together on a common agenda to negotiate with the other people/organisations that shape the neighbourhoods? Does the local authority listen to them? Is it possible to change the behaviour of landlords (private renting, shops, other business premises) in terms of their investment?

If the answer to the these questions is NO then volunteering and active citizenship in our neighbourhoods is always going to be a  struggle to achieve the changes local people want.

The Problems Of Difference

Influence may be reduced if there is conflict between different sections of residents because of differences in income, life-style, culture and faith, with each group living in their own silos with no real interconnections. Have we achieved this in Norbury?  

Neighbourhood Co-operation

Can local organisations come together to give each other strength and increase their negotiating power with those that control the economic and social shaping of our neighbourhoods?

In Croydon the Council has chosen not the take advantage of the legal ability to set up neighbourhood committees with resources to enable more local say in at least Council service delivery in the area and on planning and project development. For a short while there was the Norbury Regeneration Steering Group of the local Councillors and Love Norbury organisations. It had no resources and it collapsed as a result of COVID. This meant that the action plan that was developed became fragmented, and aspects of it have proved difficult to progress because of the problems of too much influence in the hands of landlords and developers, the unresponsiveness of Council Departments, Network Rail, Southern Railways and Transport for London, not made easier by the combined financial crises created by the different administrations since 2008.

The Problems Of Working Together

But working together also poses problems. Activists have many aspects to their lives including work, family, ill-health and other interests and involvements. There is never enough time in the week to do everything that could be done including keeping up-to-date with what is happening.

There are also difficulties in learning how to work with others, to recognise our own prejudices towards other individuals or social groups and  learn the skills of negotiation and compromise around a common agenda.

Problems with personal inter-relationships can often limit action or split an organisation. We often mask our prejudices. We can often be impatient about listening to what others are saying and not taking their points of view into account, especially if they are not good at verbal articulation. It is too easy to be distracted and forget the goal collective action is seeking to achieve.

There are a range of questions individuals and organisations can usefully ask as the situation is always fluid and new changes occur which may cause problems.

What Are The Main Issues Locally?

What are the main issues of concern facing each of the two Norbury Wards and Croydon?

How helpful are local Councillors?

What suggestions have you got for how the Council can improve its engagement with residents? 

What campaigns are you supporting?

What representations have you made to Councillors or Council officials?

How do you keep yourself informed on Norbury and Croydon issues?

It is always worth organisations asking themselves from time to time what they are trying  to achieve, what are the limits on their effectiveness, what tactics do they use which have been effective, and whether they need help with improving their methods of communication.

What is the Purpose of a Residents’ Association?

At the NVRA’s 2016 AGM as its representative on the then Norbury Residents Associations Joint Planning Committee I explained my thoughts on  NVRA’s purpose.  

• Increase the sense of belonging to the local area and community.
• Support beneficial and oppose undesirable planning applications.
• Increase understanding of the needs of different social, ethnic and faith groups and reduce prejudice between them.
• Increase positive interaction between different groups in the area.
• Assist in resolving disputes.
• Support local businesses that offer a good quality of service.
• Make representations to and discuss with Croydon Council, Network Rail, Southern Railway, TfL and the Metropolitan Police to improve services, on traffic management and community safety, future plans, and to take action against breaches of planning, litter, etc.
• Work with the other Norbury Residents Associations on issues of common concern along London Rd, in  Norbury and Norbury Hall Parks and future of the Library, including through the Love Norbury Partnership with its Joint Planning Committee, the Knitting Norbury Together and  retail group, and its shops discount scheme.
• Consult with members of the Association and wider residents on local issues. 
• Develop a vision for the area with the other Residents Associations.
• Liaise with  the Member of Parliament and local Councillors regardless of party politics on local issues.
• Organise social events and public meetings that help the above.
• Publicise issues and events happening in the RA area and Norbury.
• Publicise what the Council and other service providers are doing that will affect Norbury.

What Next?

As we enter 2024 an assessment of the current challenges and opportunities is needed with the development of a new action plan. Every neighbourhood within the two Norbury Wards is different in socio-economic terms and the problems they face. An in depth understanding is needed through more detailed analysis of the 2021 Census. Love Norbury can seek to develop this in the Norbury and Pollards Hill Ward. However, it is difficult to do this in Norbury Park Ward because of the lack of residents associations. The reorganisation of the Safer Neighbourhood Team panels that is  taking place with the election of independent chairs who will set the agenda should help strengthen action on policing, crime and anti-social behaviour.

Norbury Update 12 November

Tuesday 14 November. 7am Norbury Park SNT Police Panel Meeting

Spa Hill Allotments, 180 Spa Hill, London SE19 3TU

Tuesday 21 November. 7pm. Norbury & Pollards Hill SNT Police Panel Meeting

Norbury Methodist Church, 2a Pollards Hill North.

As Interim Chair I am finalising the agenda with the Team.

You can complete a short survey about the SNT’s actions in the last three months.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GB1WNC/

Combined SNT Newsletter

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Newsletter%20October%2023.pdf

Planning

No new applications in the last week.

Appeals Lodg – 50 Bishop’s Park Rd

Appeals Dismissed

41 Crown Lane – demolition of existing garage and erection of two storey side extension.

Land Adjacent To 26 Hollman Gardens – twostorey detached three-bedroom dwellings

40 Norbury Court Road – Alteration of roof from hip to gable end, erection of roof extension to rear of main roof slope with Juliet Balcony and installation of three roof lights into front roof slope. 

Appeal Allowed

326 Norbury Avenue –  two storey side extension and part single, part double storey rear extension.  

Approvals

Biggin Wood Pavilion – change of use of existing tennis court changing room building and courtyard to Day Nursery with external play areas. 

201 Green Lane – single storey rear extension.

212 Green Lane (land At rear now known As 206A) – detached dwelling.

47 Highbury Avenue – single storey outbuilding in rear garden.  

74 Kilmartin Avenue

74 Kilmartin Avenue – demolition of existing rear extension and erection of new single storey rear extension with roof lights.

71 Virginia Road – conversion of garage to habitable room.

Refusal – 97 Northwood Road

Single storey rear infill extension. Reason:

‘The development would be detrimental to the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining property by reason of its size and siting resulting in visual intrusion and loss of outlook and light’.

Refusal – 110 Norbury Hill 

Two outline planning permissions for demolition of bungalow and adjoining garage and erection of 5 x terraced houses. Reasons:

‘1 The proposed development would result in the overdevelopment of the site with a height, layout, plot widths and depths which would be incongruous and out of keeping with the design of the surrounding buildings; particular those that exist on the back-land sites in the immediate locality. The development would have a significantly detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the area …..

2 The proposal would be significantly detrimental to the amenities of the neighbouring occupiers by reason of the positioning, footprint width and depth of the built form. The resulting impact would be unduly overbearing and visually intrusive to neighbouring properties and would result in overlooking and loss of privacy to the detriment of the surrounding properties ….

3 In the absence of a legal agreement, the application does not offer a contribution to improvements to sustainable transport to alleviate traffic generation created by the development……

4 The proposed development would fail to provide sufficient pedestrian and vehicular access width and visibility splays, insufficient parking layout and the proposal also fails to demonstrate acceptable delivery and servicing to serve the site…..

5 It has not been demonstrated that the proposal has taken into account existing on-site trees to be removed nor has it been demonstrated that suitable soft landscaping mitigation can be included to compensate for the increase in built form on site…..

6 It has not been demonstrated that the development would not have a significant impact upon protected species or ecology and no biodiversity net gain has been demonstrated…..

7 It has not been demonstrated that the development would meet the required fire safety standards.’

Withdrawn applications

30 Hillcote Avenue  – outbuilding in rear garden.  

41 Kensington Avenue – part-single/two-storey rear extension and front porch extension. 

Norbury Update 29 October

The Planners continue to reject unacceptable applications like the revised one on 50 Bishops Park Rd, and the discharge of the condition regarding stability at 66 Pollards Hill North. The Friends of Norbury Party have submitted an action plan to the Council. PHRA has decided to disaffiliate from Love Norbury. November will see Remembrance and the beginnings of Festive activities, including the Love Norbury organised Festive lights.

General Update (Croydon & History)

General Update 28 October

Saturdays. 10-11am. Friends of Norbury Park Litter Picking

Friends of Norbury Park’s team of volunteers are continuing to pick up litter every week, meeting at the station entrance. Those who can’t make Saturdays help out during the week. The Friends thank Litter Free Norbury for organising two “deep clean” litter picking events in the park this year.

Tuesdays 10am-12noon. Coffee Morning

Baptist Church, Semley Road

Wednesdays. 10.30am-12.30pm. Coffee Morning

Norbury Methodist Church, 2a Pollards Hill North SW16 4NL

Thursdays. 10am-12noon. Coffee Morning

Baptist Church, Semley Road

Thursdays. 2pm-4pm. Digital Workshops

How to use your smart phone and computer. No appointment needed.

Community Room above Norbury Library. 

Fridays. 10am-4pm. Drop in Covid and Flu Jabs   

Norbury Library for those eligible for free jabs – no appointment needed.

Friday 3 November. 10.30am. Knitting Norbury Together 

Everyone welcome – the group shares skills and teach knitting and crochet.

Saturday 4 November. 11am-1pm. Councillors for Norbury & Pollards Hill Ward Surgery

Norbury Methodist Church

Sunday 5 November. 8am. London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally.

It will becoming through Norbury. A number of residents will meet outside Iceland to welcome them.

Saturday 11 November. 11am. Remembrance Gathering

As in previous years the Norbury Knitters will gather at the war memorial plaque on London Rd. Remembrance poppies will be put up along London Rd. The Fire Station crew will parade outside.

Saturday 11 November. 11am-3pm. Autumn Fair

Norbury Methodist Church

Saturday 18 November. Noon. Friends of Norbury Park Litter Pick

This will be with the support of the  police Safe Neighbourhood Team.

St Philips Church

Sunday 10 December. 4pm.  Winter Gathering in Norbury Park

Friends of Norbury Park will provide Hot drinks, singing and something for the dogs. This is a follow-up to its August community picnic for the community. The Friends latest newsletter says that this ‘was great fun, and one picnic-goer said that it “made Norbury feel like a village”!. The dog show was a crazy but delightful event – who knew that we had so many talented dogs in Norbury?’ ‘The afternoon included a guided tour of the Nature Trail, storytelling, a talk on bee keeping, face painting and sack race for adults and children. There was a stall managed by Love Norbury and a display of fascinating posters about the History of Norbury and Norbury Park. A plant sale, cakes, banana bread, Samosas and Indian Chai all proved popular and completely sold out.’

info@friendsofnorburypark.org

Norbury Park News

Wildflower Oasis

In May a group of Friends of Norbury Park ‘volunteers began work on a wildlife meadow project in the park, located close to the Harefield Road entrance. The ground was initially prepared by removing most of the grass, and some, but not all, of the weeds (some weeds are important to bio-diversity, and can be quite beautiful). Seeds were sown and we now have a lovely Wildflower Oasis, with a variety of plants and flowers giving pleasure to park users as they walk past. The volunteers are now preparing more ground ready to plant seeds for next year.’

Norbury Park Nature Trail

‘Friends of Norbury Park volunteers have improved and developed the nature trail which runs through the woods next to Green Lane. The volunteers carried wheelbarrows full of chippings to cover the path and created a circle at the beginning as a storytelling/reading area.’ The Friends invite you to  

come and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful walk through the woods’.

Norbury Park Action Plan

The Friends have prepared and submitted an action plan to the Council outlining the issues where we require input or collaboration with Croydon Council. It sets out its goals.

Goal 1: Reduce antisocial behaviour in the park.
Goal 2: Reduce the amount of litter and rubbish in the park.
Goal 3: Provide more interest in the park, and relieve flood risk.
Goal 4: Resolve ongoing issues with entrance and exit to the park, and the location of large events
Goal 5: Ensure the grass fields can be used by visitors.
Goal 6: Provide safe and dry paths across the park.
Goal 7: Improved communication between the Council and the Friends.

The full details can be read at

I have sent Brij Kalia, the Chair of the Friends a resume of the background to the Park and the further thinking about its future written in 2019.

https://www.friendsofnorburypark.org/

Guide to Access To The Library

The full explanation of the access rules to the Library when there are no :ibrary staff can be see on Norbury Green Residents Association website.

https://www.norburygreen.co.uk/about

Action by Residents

Residents are frustrated by the apparent lack of action on a wide range of issues while they see the area become more and more adversely affected by anti-social behaviour such as continued litter and fly-tipping,  poor and over speed driving, car parking conflict, noise, etc.  This is a problem along London Rd and its side streets, and Norbury Crescent and Green Lane, continually highlighted by the Residents Associations . There are additional problems in the two main parks, with drinking, urinating, defecating, and other anti-social behaviour which the Friends of Norbury and Norbury Hall Parks have been making representations about.

Residents often find it difficult to report things to the Council because of the problems with its switchboard and IT systems. Not all residents are comfortable using the various Council IT systems.

Residents usually act as individuals. They may have more effect if they act collectively. It is therefore important:

• that all residents join their local Residents Association.

• copy their messages to the Council and the police to help their Residents Association Committee have full picture of what is going on.

• keep a diary of all incidents that concern them, including the minor ones, and let their Residents Association Committee have the details on a regular basis.

• contact their Residents Association Committee when more serious incidents take place.

Planning

Applications

2 Beatrice Ave. Alterations, conversion of single dwelling to form 1x 3-bedroom and 1x 1-bedroom flats, erection of single-storey rear extension and outbuilding in rear garden. This is a difficult application because extending existing ground floor ‘will allow easy disabled access to owner who  is elderly and on dialysis and is seeking to make better use of his home and make life easier by re modeling to suit his condition and facilitate storage of full-time dialysis equipment and allow better access to room overlooking garden with easy access to garden buildings with his disability’ The conversion upstairs  then convert upstairs is create an independent flat to allow better use of the property and create independent  accommodation for a future carer as this will be needed sooner rather than later due to owners condition but until this is  needed a opportunity to create an income to allow funding for client future caring needs rather than burden the state to facilitate this we will also install a side entrance door to access   the stairs to the 1^st floor Flat.’ This then looks like an imaginative application which will enable an elderly disabled resident to remain living in their home and neighbourhood, displaying the kind of creative and flexible solution for elderly residents argued for by Croydon Unite Retired Members Branch’s submission to the Local Plan Review, which I was involved in drawing up.

44 Bigginwood Road. Rear single storey extension (following demolition of existing). 

4 Dunbar Avenue. Use of one room as a private office space for private and taxi hire booking services. 

46 Georgia Road.  Single storey front extension and erection of two storey side extension. 

76 Ingram Road. Change of use from a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to a large HMO for up to 8 occupiers, with associated alterations. It is a pity that this area does not have a Residents Association which could consider opposing yet another larger HMO.

36 Norbury Hill. First floor side extension and alterations of fenestrations and facade.  

78 Stanford Road. Dormer roof extension with Juliet balcony to rear roof slope and installation of three roof lights to front roof slope. 

Approvals

66 and 294 Green Lane. Single storey rear extensions.  

131 Norbury Crescent.  Conversion of loft to habitable space, erection of rear dormer, erection of hip to gable and installation of two roof lights to the front roof slope. 

63 Pollards Hill South. Erection of a hip to gable and rear roof extensions.

34 Virginia Road. Erection of an outbuilding to the rear of the garden.

Withdrawn

27 Hawthorn Avenue. Single/two storey side/rear extension, rear roof extension, conversion to create 2 x one bedroom and 1 x three bedroom flats.

55 Pollards Hill South.  Single storey detached 3-bedroom.

1106 London Road. Change of use from motorcycle showroom  to motorcycle MOT centre.

Refusal  – 50 Bishops Park Ave

 Demolition of side projection and erection of 3 x terraced dwellings. Reasons: 

‘1 The proposed site layout and massing of the footprint would result in an overdevelopment the site and the design and architectural expression has not been informed by a contextual character analysis. The proposal would result in an out of keeping, prominent and dominant development which would be detrimental to the prevailing character and appearance of the built form in the surrounding area…..

2 The proposed development would provide poor quality residential units by virtue of a lack of natural daylight and sunlight, the mutual overlooking that would result between the proposed dwellings and the existing properties and the resulting noise and disturbance from the adjacent railway line…..

3 The proposal by reason of its siting, layout, massing and design would result in an overbearing and overpowering development resulting in visual intrusion and loss of outlook, noise and disturbance, undue overlooking and loss of privacy to the surrounding properties which would be detrimental to the residential amenity of the occupants….

4 The proposal, given the loss of trees and the lack of suitable space for new tree planting to be become established and maintained, would fail to take account of the existing on site trees or provide suitable soft landscaping mitigation to compensate for the increase in built form on site…..

5 It has not been suitably demonstrated that the proposal would not result in the loss and/or disturbance to habitats used by protected species, and no surveys or mitigation measures have been submitted to justify this development in this location…..

6 In the absence of a legal agreement, the application does not prevent future occupiers from applying for parking permits which would result in additional parking stress nor does the proposal offer a contribution towards sustainable transport improvements to alleviate traffic generation created by the development…..

7 The proposal, by reason of its siting, layout and the existing built form, would result in insufficient pedestrian access to the detriment of highway, in particular pedestrian, safety. In addition, the proposed cycle storage would fail to conform to the required standards…..

8 The proposal would provide insufficient refuse and recycling storage with unsuitable accessibility arrangements and no 10sqm bulky goods area would be provided…..

9 It has not been demonstrated that the development would meet the required fire safety standards’.

Other Refusals

131 Norbury Crescent. Single storey outbuilding. 

102 Norbury Hill. Continued use of side extension as self-contained house.

65 Pollards Hill North. Demolition of existing garage and erection of double storey side extension. Removal of 1x tree. 

Former Site Of 66 Pollards Hill. Discharge of Condition on stability.

127 Pollards Hill South. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of three-storey six-bedroom detached dwelling with outbuilding in rear garden.

Will PHRA Dissafiliate From Love Norbury?

Pollards Hill Residents Association’s meeting this Thursday is being asked to disaffiliate from the Love Norbury  community partnership. The agenda item does not explain the reasons why.

PHRA has been a member of Love Norbury since its start, with the latter taking on PHRA’s initial discount shop. Over the years it has been represented on Love Norbury Committee contributing to maintaining community cohesion along with the representatives of the other member organisations. Membership for affiliated organisations is free.

Love Norbury has organised many successful annual summer and winter events drawing more people into membership of the local groups which are members.

For several years I convened the joint Residents Associations Planning group, which then became an off-shoot of Love Norbury until it was decided that each RA Committee should look at planning decisions in its area, with Love Norbury also making representations on applications that that had implications for the wider Norbury area. I took the lead role for LN and the RAs in representations for the two Local Plan reviews, including speaking on their behalf at the last Inspector’s enquiry.

Key initiatives of Love Norbury

Over the years these have included:

• obtaining funds to investigate putting a lift in to make the upstairs community hall more acceptable, which helped prompt the Council to renovate the Library,  including putting in a lift;
• agreeing to hold an event to celebrate the re-opening of the Library which had to be postponed due to water penetration and then Library cuts staff consultation and was replaced by the Norbury Literary Festival in May;
• the setting up of the Festive Lights along London Rd;
• Executive Mayor election hustings
• Summer events on St Helen’s Green;
• Xmas events;
• holding the remaining money from the former Ward Councillor’s ward budgets;
• holding money on behalf of the Knitting Norbury Together Group.

Current Activities Of Love Norbury

The Love Norbury Committee currently has:

• A working party to re-promote the discount scheme; in the light of the changes in businesses since COVID.
• A working party to obtain improvements to the area around the Railway Station.
• Plans to organise a summer event next year.

Love Norbury Members

The current members of the Love Norbury Committee are:

Norbury Green, Norbury Village, Pollards Hill and Scotts Estate Residents Associations

Friends of Norbury and Norbury Hall Parks, which grew out of the joint work on planning;

Norbury Bowling Club

Cassandra Centre

Norbury Community Land Trust, which represented, has resigned as it has decided to wind up.

Challenges Facing  Norbury

The future of the Library under the current review of the Library Service is still under threat.

Further cuts to the Council budget are due to be announced.

The latest Local Plan review is due to start leading to an Inspector’s public enquiry.

As a partnership Love Norbury can develop a united response to these challenges.

Thursday 26 October. 7pm. PHRA Members Meeting

1) Opening (Chairs Welcome & Introduction)
 
2) PHRA QR CODES – Online adoption of Digital Membership Drive promotion
 
3) Autumn Newsletter – Digital Promotion PHRA – Online (see on PHRA website)
 
4) Election of two new members to the committee – with membership vote (and any other proposed volunteers for vacant committee / street representatives)
 
5) PHRA & Love Norbury affiliation – Status / Motion to exit the Love Norbury umbrella association following proposal from resident members.
 
6) Planning outcome 18 pollards Hill West – The Brambles
 
7) Ken Hume – James Alexander estate agents – Local Property Market update and award presentation. 
 
Speakers By Invitation will start at 7.45pm until 9pm.
 
Safer Neighbourhood Team – Local Policing 
 
Neil Garratt – Assembly Member – City Hall (Sutton & Croydon)
ULEZ scheme, London Policing and London Mayoral budgets. 
 
Cllr Jason Cummings Cabinet Member for Finance (Croydon Council)
Fixing Croydon’s Finances
 
Cllr Matt Griffith – Norbury & Pollards Hill Ward Councillor

 
Cllr Ola Kolade – Cabinet Member for Community Safety (provisional acceptance)
Boroughwide Community Safety Update.  

The meeting will close with a Question and Answer session.

It will be interesting to see whether Cllr Ola Kolande will be able to get to the meeting as he is chairing the Croydon Safer Neighbourhood Board which is meeting for the first time for many months.

Victory Over The Brambles – 18 Pollards Hill West

After years of campaigning by PHRA and Love Norbury against the housing development proposals for the Brambles the independent planning inspector has rejected the developers appeal. He concludes:

‘The proposal would have a significantly harmful effect on the quality of outlook for occupiers of No 14 Pollards Hill West and it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would meet the accessible housing requirements of the development plan. The proposal conflicts with the development plan taken as a whole and there are no material considerations that indicate the decision should be made other than in accordance with the development plan. The appeal is therefore dismissed.’

The full text can be read at:

Click to access 19_04117_FUL-APPEAL_DECISION-3899596.pdf

Although this is  a victory the developer may now submit new proposals or sell the site on giving a new owner the opportunity to submit revised plans.

For some background see:

file:///C:/Users/User/Documents/Norbury%202019%20fuinal%20report%20sections/Section%209.%20Why%20Pollards%20Hill%20Needs%20%20Special%20Protection.pdf

The Continuing Saga Of 18 Pollards Hill West  

Norbury Update 20 February, inc. Local Plan

Revised Plans for the Care Home and Brambles Schemes in Pollards Hill

Revised Plans for the Care Home and Brambles Schemes in Pollards Hill

How should Norbury develop over the next 20 years?

Why Pollards Hill Needs Special Protection

Norbury Policing Update

Local Activities

Tuesday 14 November. 7pm. Norbury Park Safer Neighbourhood Panel

Venue tbc.

Saturday 18 November Noon – 1.30pm. Weapon Sweep, Norbury Park

This will be in partnership with Friends of Norbury Park & Litter Free Norbury who have kindly supplied extra safety/cleaning equipment for this event. The meeting point will be at the main entrance to the park from London Road joining onto Norbury Avenue.

Tuesday 21 November. 7pm. Norbury & Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel

A permanent chair will be elected. Venue tbc.

Speeding Operations

The police recently undertook a speeding operation on Green Lane. The Norbury Park Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to hear where your concerns for speeding are, so we can arrange them effectively to where the communities concerns are. Hannah.Collins@met.police.uk

They will be trying to conduct Speeding Ops more regularly. They will ask for anyone who knows of speeding on a certain road, and the times where they often take place. This would benefit the SNT in where it chooses to do the next one.

They cannot promise they will do every road due to the safety risks involved/ There are only certain types of roads, where they can do speeding ops, but any recommendations would be welcome.

Combined SNT Newsletter

Newsletter September 2023.pdf

Knife Crime

There has been enormous media coverage on the Croydon knife crime crisis. South Norwood councillor Stella Nabukeera spoke about it at the Labour Party Conference. (Inside Croydon. 13 October). Hopefully the Safer Neighbourhood Board which meets on 26 October for the first time for many months will be discussing why all the efforts and money put into anti-knife crime work do not seem to be working. I have sent the senior officer organising the meeting the link to my comments back in 2018 – https://historyandsocialaction.blogspot.com/search?q=knife+crime

Stop & Search

The Met Police is carrying out a consultation on creating a Stop and Search Charter on

The Met Police proposes a Stop and Search Charter and is running on-line consultation this week.

• 18 October 2023, 1pm to 4pm
• 18 October 2023, 7pm to 9pm
• 20 October 2023, 7pm to 8pm

If you would like to take part, please register your interest using the Met’s online form.

For details and discussion see:

Met Police Consults On Stop & Search Charter

Violence Against Women

The Croydon police are running an event on violence against women on Monday 30 October. 12.30pm, at Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA), 82 London Road, Croydon, CR0 2TB. A light lunch will be provided. Please register your attendance below. https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/vawg-action-plan-meeting-croydon-tickets-732795108897

Norbury Update 17 October

Norbury Library Open Access

Access to Norbury Library out of hours is now operational.

You can now register at the Library for its self-service opening which is called Open Access. This will operate on Mondays  and Wednesdays, 10am-6pm and on Saturdays, 9am-5pm.  To use this service, you will need to complete a form at the Library and will be given a PIN number which will give you access to the Library at the above times.  It’s great that people will be able to use the Library more, but there are some downsides:  there will be no librarians on site, only a security guard; no lavatory facilities; and no photocopying.

Inside Croydon discusses the new system within the wider context of the Library Service.

Open+’s CCTV gives Norbury Library few extra opening hours

Library Consultation

The Council has been conducting a review of its Library Service across the borough.  At the on-line meeting attended by one of NVRA’s committee members, the following main points were made from residents across the borough: Library opening hours were insufficient,   officers were urged to find ways of extending opening hours, particularly on Saturdays and into the evenings; concern was expressed for school children and students whose home conditions made it difficult to study at home.  Whilst it was understood that there was no more money for the Library Service, concern was expressed about the use of volunteers, particularly around checks re their suitability.  Suggestions were made about bringing more services into the Library such as housing and police advice; councillors’ surgeries; groups such as the Norbury Knitters; and many more.  There was a recognition that the librarians were under a lot of pressure and were providing a very good service. 

Norbury Village Green’s petition to re-open the Library on Saturdays has gathered more than 1000 signatures and will be presented to Council soon. 

Bus Shelter Petition And Scandal

Many of you will know that some of the bus shelters disappeared in March 2021 and have not yet been replaced.  At the beginning of September when the Mayor held a question and answer session in Norbury, he said that because of contractual difficulties, it might be as much as another 18 months before the shelters reappear.  The Norbury Village Committee are chasing hard on this issue and plan to ask a question at the next Council Meeting. The scandal is much bigger than NVRA thought as revealed by Inside Croydon (11 October) with a potential £0.5m loss to the Council. The Council explanation can be read at https://news.croydon.gov.uk/statement-on-bus-shelters-contract-with-valo-smart-city.

Car Parking Consultation

The Council is asking residents for their views on its draft parking policy.  You can respond on line and there are a number of drop-in sessions at libraries – unfortunately, not at Norbury.  There is a session at Thornton Heath on Tuesday 24 October, 4.30pm-7pm; 190 Brigstock Road CR7 7JB.  The consultation closes on 31 October.  The Norbury Village Committee has written to the Council requesting a drop-in session at Norbury Library. 

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Drop in Covid and Flu Jabs:   Every Friday , 10am-4pm at Norbury Library for those eligible for free jabs – no appointment needed.

Digital Workshops:  Every Thursday 2pm-4pm in the Community Room above Norbury Library.  A very helpful team will answer your queries about how to use your smart phone and computer.  It’s a very enjoyable, informal session for those of us with queries about digital activities.  No appointment needed and there’s no need to stay the whole time.

Norbury Library, Beatrice Avenue, SW16 4LN

Coffee Mornings:

10am-12noon Every Tuesday & Thursday at the Baptist Church, Semley Road SW16 4PL

10.30am-12.30pm Every Wednesday at the Pop Inn, Norbury Methodist Church 2a Pollards Hill North SW16 4NL

Knitting Norbury Together – it’s a friendly group and everyone is welcome – members share skills and are happy to teach knitting and crochet. Next meetings – Fridays 20 October & 3 November, Norbury Library.

Autumn Fair 11am-3pm Saturday 11 November at Norbury Methodist Church.

Christmas Fair, opens 11am Saturday 9 December  at St Philips Church.

Planning

Applications

22 Arnulls Road. Conversion of garage to home gym and associated internal alterations. 

82 Dalmeny Avenue. Single storey rear extension.

64 Green Lane – Sosa Court. Discharge of Condition re-cycle storage).

7 Lloyd Avenue – loft conversion with rear dormer and fenestrations and a single storey rear extension (demolish of existing extension) with fenestrations. 

131 Norbury Crescent. Conversion of loft to habitable space, erection of rear dormer, erection of hip to gable and installation of two rooflights to the front roof slope & erection of single storey outbuilding. 

Approvals

71 The Chase. Loft conversion, erection of rear dormer installation of skylights to the front slope. 

95 Kilmartin Avenue. Single storey rear extension & single storey rear extension

212 Norbury Avenue. Two storey rear extension.  

Land Rear Of 55-55A Norbury Hill. Erection of detached two-storey house with associated off-street car parking space and private garden.

152 Tylecroft Road  Retrospective application for retention of single storey rear extension.  

Not Approved – Development Site Former Site Of 66 Pollards Hill North 

Refusal – 79A Northwood Road 

Conversion of loft to habitable space, erection of rear and outrigger dormers, installation of 2x roof lights to front roof slope

General (Croydon and History) Update

https://seancreighton1947.wordpress.com/2023/10/15/general-update-15-october