Held on: 9 April 2026 at 7.30 pm

At: St. Edmund’s Hall

Present were Sanderstead Ward Councillors Lynne Hale, Yvette Hopley, Helen Redfern; Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Ward Councillors Alasdair Stewart and Endri Llabuti; Purley & Woodcote Councillor Simon Brew. Also present was the Executive Mayor Jason Perry.

All RRA Committee members were present except Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt

Apologies were received from RRA Committee Members: Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt.

The meeting was opened by Brian Longman, the RRA Chairman.

Police Presentation

Due to time constrictions a presentation by PCSO Sam Brooks from the Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT and PC Bethany Beadle from the Waddon SNT took place first.

PCSO Sam Brooks said crime rates in the PO&R Ward were generally low and in the bottom 5 in the Borough. However there were still in particular house burglaries, and motor vehicle crime, and residents are encourage to take the necessary precautions. They visit all the victims of crime in the Ward.

There is now a new means of engagement with the public called ‘Met Engage’ and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up to received alerts and meetings/events.

A lot of police work is intelligence based from the public. Both Sanderstead and PO&R hold bi- monthly Ward meetings and these are not always well attended. The dates are advertised by the RRA as well as the Police.

The Police Officers were asked about excessive speeding in the 20 mph streets – sometimes 40, 50 or even 60 mph per hour. The response was that they don’t have the resources to be everywhere but they do undertake spot checks within streets with the appropriate traffic, or speed gun trained Officers. A resident asked why speed cameras can’t be put in some streets and this is the responsibility of TfL. However TfL will only install speed cameras mainly on Class A or Class B roads where there have been fatalities, or serious injuries.

A question was also raised about the number of theft of motor vehicles locally. The Police recognise this and are doing all they can to catch the individuals who use special wireless devices to pick up the signal from a key fob in a dwelling for the car to open and start. However, the public can help by placing their key fobs (if they are keyless entry) in Faraday bags, or metal tins and away from the vehicle. Some key fobs do ‘turn off’ – check your handbook. Installing additional steering wheel locks and trackers on the vehicles can help, as many vehicles are left locally by the thieves in case a tracker is fitted. Some trackers are factory fitted, and seeking the location is usually via an app. Faraday bags can also wear thin with the protective lining and one way to check this, is to go to the vehicle with the key in the bag to see if the vehicle opens and starts. If so, it needs replacing. Also don’t forget to put the spare key in a Faraday bag, or metal tin and away from the vehicle.

Brian thanked the two Officers for attending.

Minutes of the previous AGM

The Chairman presented the minutes from the last AGM 2025 (proposed by John Rapp and seconded by John Placek), which were accepted by the meeting.

Action items:

No new items.

Treasurer’s Report

The RRA Treasurer, John Placek presented the accounts up to 31/12/25 – link which have just been audited. John went through the accounts. Income from Members was down slightly on last year but not all subscriptions have been received yet from Road Stewards.

There was a large expenditure for the website redesign of £2,790 and an annual payment of £216, plus the expenditure for four new streets trees (£1,120), something the RRA have not done before. The website design (£2,790) is a one off but the annual maintenance (£216) will be ongoing each year. This is why there is a deficit for the year of £-1,847.57.

Expenditure; £6,717.97

Income; £4,870.40 (£2,530 from membership subscriptions)

Deficit; -£1,847.57

Bank account balances
Woodland Account (Restricted Funds – Woodland Appeal/Green Belt); £27,080.27

Unrestricted Funds; £18,522.75

Total £45,603.02

There were no questions on the accounts.

The accounts were proposed for acceptance by Brian Longman and agreed by the members.

Chairman’s Report (Brian Longman)

Brian gave thanks to the Committee, and said over the last few months he has semi stepped back from day to day matters. Brian reiterated the point we need more, and younger Committee members to help spread the volume of work.

Brian gave special thanks to Committee member John Rapp for his work on local transport matters, along with Keith Powell. John also covered Membership and Road Stewards and we do need some more Road Stewards on some streets.

Special thanks also to John Placek for his work as Treasurer and also Data Protection Officer.

Neil Tarrant was praised for his work as the Recorder Editor. The magazine used to be published twice yearly but had now been reduced to yearly (summer) as the E-Blast is so successful and comes out once, or even twice a month with up to date news. The RRA’s Facebook page also provides a lot of current information. Neil, also organises the RRA Children’s Xmas party along with his wife Rachel. A lot of work is involved with organising this. This event is very successful with about 60 children plus parents and grandparents and the St Edmund’s Hall is now too small. For alternative venues, the Collegiate is a possibility. All Saints Hall has been considered but is not in our area and maybe too far away for some.

Berni Munt does a marvellous job at writing the minutes at meetings.

And finally special thanks to Phil Thomas who is the Vice Chairman, plus looks after planning and environmental matters and also edits the Facebook page, the E-Blast and the RRA website.

Brian made the point that we used to have 20 residents on the Committee but that is now down to 11. We desperately need more residents to volunteer.

Brian asked the question – what is the purpose of Resident Associations representing neighbourhoods? His answer, to build and maintain community spirit at all levels in the local community.

The RRA use to run a very successful Fun Day on Riddlesdown Open Space in June but due to the reduced number of volunteers, together with the City of London’s partial funding dried up, this had to cease. The RRA are looking at maybe restarting this again and hopefully for 2027 – fully funded by the RRA and maybe with some sponsorship.

Brian asked the question – how do we get more residents in to help and be on the Committee? We are also losing Road Stewards and need more help here as well.

Brian thanked all the Ward Councillors for their help and assistance over the last 4 years, with the local elections due in May.

Vice Chairman’s Planning & Environmental Report (Phil Thomas)

Phil Thomas gave an update on the planning applications and decisions in the area since the last AGM.

It is still quite noticeable the number of applications for new houses and small scale flat developments has dropped locally – and also throughout the Borough. And many, but not all, are being refused either by the Council and/or the Planning Inspectorate. We know this because on behalf of 17 local Residents Associations, (we call ourselves CARA, – Croydon Alliance of Residents Associations), we monitor all the Council’s planning decisions and the decisions that go to the Planning Inspectorate on appeal.

In our area, the application at 31 Copthorne Rise for a detached house and 2 car parking spaces was granted by the Planning Sub Committee in February 2024, and the Section 106 agreement (which is a legal planning agreement between the Council and all parties) was completed in July 2024. However, a Variation of Condition application of the approved drawings was submitted on 23 July last year, to change some aspects of the scheme. After consultation with the nearby residents, the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to the revised application and asked for a referral to the Planning Committee. We objected about a number of things, and as yet Planners have not made a decision, or sent it to Committee.

Phil updated last year about a number of applications at 79 Riddlesdown Road; for flats, and the Council refused them all, but the last application went to appeal. The Planning Inspector dismissed this appeal and we believe the owner has decided to sell/has sold the property.

Five applications still remain outstanding since 2021, at 98 Hyde Road to regularise the authorised the use on this site. A revised application to the May 2023 application (for the Removal or Variation of a Condition) was submitted in May 2025, which both the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to and asked for a referral to Committee. The completed building is currently tenanted but we believe without the correct planning approvals in place. Cllr Lynne Hale and the RRA are still pursuing the Planners on this and we are all keen that they come to some sort of decision on this – soon.

Following the application r/o 30 Riddlesdown Ave for a new house, which was granted by the Council in October 2023, the Section 106 Agreement was completed in September 2024 and the Council received some more monies to upgrade the drainage on the access road, as flooding occurs to nearby properties. The RRA have been pushing for this work to be done, and the work was completed in March 2026. We are not sure if the road gullies have been put in the correct place as some are on the high side of the camber and only time will tell in a heavy downpour, and if the flooding is greatly reduced.

Farm fields on Mitchley Hill by the White Path – the RRA are still pursuing the Council’s Planning Enforcement Officer about the abandoned caravan and the steel baths on the former horse grazing land. It is now in a very poor state and a complete and utter eyesore on Green Belt land. The caravan was used to store horse feed in. The RRA have received a number of complaints from residents and we understand Planning Enforcement are still pursuing the owner’s Planning Agent about this.

Updates on Some Sites in Purley

The RRA have been making enquiries over the last few weeks and we have updates on some vacant and unfinished sites in Purley Town Centre:

Purley Pool, Flats and Car Park

There is still no final planning approval from Croydon Planners on the Purley Pool, flats and public/private car park scheme. Although the main application (24/00775/FUL) was approved by the Planning Committee in February 2025, it did require the GLA (London Mayor) to approve the scheme, and they have now raised no objection. We understand the Section 106 legal agreement, between the Council and all parties, has been drafted and is currently with the developer for comment and signing. Once complete we understand the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission. But it may then be subject to other legal agreements, as the Council are the freeholder of the land. As many residents will know, seven local Residents Associations, plus the Purley Mosque did object to the planning application, primarily with the loss of car parking to the town centre and the large number of later living flats. The seven RAs fully support the re-opening of the pool and leisure centre.

Whytecliffe Road South & Purley Station Car Park

The planning application lodged in 2021, (21/01753/FUL) for 238 flats and new station car park, has still not been granted despite being approved by the Planning Committee on 4 April 2024. Again it required the GLA to approve the scheme and this has been granted by them. The Section 106 legal agreement is with all parties waiting to be signed and returned to the Council. Once completed the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission.

Purley Baptist Church – 17 storey tower site (3 phases)

The developer have advised us that Phase 1 (the flats on the corner of Brighton Rd and Banstead Rd) have been partially occupied since the middle of last year. The remaining units in the taller block are not yet occupied, as the purchaser is liaising with the Building Safety Regulator and is seeking a permission before taking possession and allowing occupation.

The Phase 2 changes for the 17 storey residential flats are still progressing through pre-application discussions with Croydon Planners. The developer will share their proposals with the local community in advance of a formal planning application and they expect to hold a public consultation at some point in the summer 2026. A redesign of the tower block is required because of changes to legislation after the Grenfell Tower fire. Subject to this part of the scheme going ahead, phase 3 will follow after that; hopefully the completion of the Baptist Church site.

823-825 Brighton Road (new M&S store, studios and car park)

Asbestos removal and demolition works are/have taken place and ground works/building works are expected to commence soon. Most of the pre-work planning conditions have been submitted and approved by the Council. We understand completion is due circa the summer of 2027.

922-930 Purley Way

This is the flats site, with the tower cranes and concrete structure in place on the north side of the town centre, where the contractor went into liquidation last year.

A Non Material Amendment application has recently been submitted to the Council (26/00601/NMA) and hopefully, subject to being granted by Planners, this will be a precursor, to works recommencing on that site with a different contractor.

NPPF proposals letter

The Government earlier this year set out proposals to update the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England. Some of these changes were to the Green Belt land and allowing housing to be built on within a 15 minute walk to rail and tube/tram stations. Fourteen RAs from our CARA group jointly signed a 56 page letter and submitted this in early March, with our comments/objections/thoughts on these proposals. If the Government Department listen is another matter, but we await the outcome of this consultation.

Phil reported on a few things on the environmental aspect – the RRA sponsored 4 new trees last year via the Council’s Forestry team and these are located o/s 1 & 8 Coombe Wood Hill, 60 Westfield Ave and 33 Purley Bury Close.

Three of the trees are doing well but one of them at 33 Purley Bury Close was planted too late in the dry summer and the Council have agreed to replace this one because it is not surviving.

The RRA have agreed to sponsor four more trees for this year and we are told by the Forestry Manager these trees will be planted soon at 33 & 104 Westfield Ave, 37 Mitchley Ave & 21 Buttermere Gdns. Nearby residents have agreed to look after these trees. These trees do need watering well, plus those from last year and we would please ask residents who live nearby to water them during the first 3 years or so – especially in times of drought. We will again put notices on all the trees to this effect. If still successful, we will repeat this with a few more trees next year.

Road gullies

The Council have spent a lot of money of installing new gullies in Mitchley Ave and Lower Barn Rd over the last 3 years or so, but unfortunately they don’t always clean the road gullies on streets higher up from these two streets and it does put added pressure on rainwater flowing to these two low points in the area and flooding continues. But it is not as bad as previous. If residents see any blocked road gullies please report it to the Council, preferably on the Love Clean streets app.

Streets Near to the Rail Station

The RRA are aware that some rail commuters are parking across residents dropped kerbs in the four main streets near to the station (Lower Barn Rd, Coombe Wood Hill, Brancaster Lane and Riddlesdown Ave).

One way that can help to highlight the dropped kerb, is to have white an Access Protection Markings (APM) painted across a dropped kerb. The Council will do this for a charge and if a resident didn’t have an APM marked before, there will be a survey charge as well. For a joint dropped kerb, both house owners need to agree for the APM to go across the full width. Full details about how to go about this, please look at last year’s Recorder magazine, which is on our website, on page 13.

We know a number of residents have called out the Council’s Parking Division to have vehicles issued with a Parking Charge Notice (parking tickets), where the driver has parked with their wheels across dropped kerbs. And worse case scenario, the vehicles could be lifted by the Police, if a vehicle is trapped on the driveway/or in a garage.

New RRA website

The RRA employed a Company (Smarter Reach in Purley) last year to redesign our website as the software we had was out of date and not supported any more. This is now up and running. We are still rectifying one or two glitches but generally the comments we have received so far are very favourable.

E- Blast

For the latest things going on in the RRA area please sign up to our monthly E-Blast. Details how to sign up are on on the RRA website.

Riddlesdown Collegiate Facilities to Hire

If you run a group/sports team that are looking for a sports hall, sports pitches, indoor studios/hall, lecture theatre, fitness suite, gymnasium, grass pitches and classrooms etc? Then Riddlesdown Collegiate, have many facilities available to hire (out of school hours). If so, then please look on the Collegiate website homepage, or on the RRA website and the page for the Collegiate, for more details.

Questions – There were no questions from the audience.

Elections of Committee

Phil Thomas thanked Brian for all his hard work as Chairman over the last year. Phil reminded all present, and re-iterated Brian’s point, that none of us are getting any younger and we desperately need some more new blood and younger residents on the Committee. Phil also thanked all the other Committee members for their hard work as well. He made made the point that of course we are all volunteers and we don’t get paid for doing this community work. The more people who can help, does relieve the pressure on others on the Committee.

Phil thank all our Ward Councillors for all their efforts and support over the last 4 years. Of course we don’t know what will happen on 7 May at the local elections and good luck to all the candidates.

Phil then proposed that Brian be re-elected as Chairman (no other nominations) and John Placek seconded, and he was voted in, unanimously.

Brian then nominated John Placek as Treasurer (no other nominations) – seconded by Phil Thomas. Unanimous vote.

Brian nominated Phil Thomas for the post of Vice Chairman (no other nominations) – seconded by Keith Powell. Unanimous vote.

The rest of the committee were voted in en bloc – proposed by Brian Longman, seconded by Sean Ryan. Unanimous vote.

Full Committee of elected members for 2026/27

Brian Longman – Chairman & Riddlesdown Collegiate Liaison Officer

Phil Thomas – Vice Chairman; Planning & Environmental; Website & E-Blast Editor

John Placek – Treasurer and Data Protection Officer

Berni Munt – Minutes Secretary

John Rapp – Public Transport and Membership

Keith Powell – Public Transport Concerns

Neil Tarrant – Recorder Editor

Helen Chase – Footpaths Officer

Janice Kedwards

Jan Powell

Joyce Boakye-Ansah

General Questions from the Audience

None.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

Minutes taken by Phil Thomas

Held on: 9 April 2026 at 7.30 pm

At: St. Edmund’s Hall

Present were Sanderstead Ward Councillors Lynne Hale, Yvette Hopley, Helen Redfern; Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Ward Councillors Alasdair Stewart and Endri Llabuti; Purley & Woodcote Councillor Simon Brew. Also present was the Executive Mayor Jason Perry.

All RRA Committee members were present except Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt

Apologies were received from RRA Committee Members: Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt.

The meeting was opened by Brian Longman, the RRA Chairman.

Police Presentation

Due to time constrictions a presentation by PCSO Sam Brooks from the Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT and PC Bethany Beadle from the Waddon SNT took place first.

PCSO Sam Brooks said crime rates in the PO&R Ward were generally low and in the bottom 5 in the Borough. However there were still in particular house burglaries, and motor vehicle crime, and residents are encourage to take the necessary precautions. They visit all the victims of crime in the Ward.

There is now a new means of engagement with the public called ‘Met Engage’ and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up to received alerts and meetings/events.

A lot of police work is intelligence based from the public. Both Sanderstead and PO&R hold bi- monthly Ward meetings and these are not always well attended. The dates are advertised by the RRA as well as the Police.

The Police Officers were asked about excessive speeding in the 20 mph streets – sometimes 40, 50 or even 60 mph per hour. The response was that they don’t have the resources to be everywhere but they do undertake spot checks within streets with the appropriate traffic, or speed gun trained Officers. A resident asked why speed cameras can’t be put in some streets and this is the responsibility of TfL. However TfL will only install speed cameras mainly on Class A or Class B roads where there have been fatalities, or serious injuries.

A question was also raised about the number of theft of motor vehicles locally. The Police recognise this and are doing all they can to catch the individuals who use special wireless devices to pick up the signal from a key fob in a dwelling for the car to open and start. However, the public can help by placing their key fobs (if they are keyless entry) in Faraday bags, or metal tins and away from the vehicle. Some key fobs do ‘turn off’ – check your handbook. Installing additional steering wheel locks and trackers on the vehicles can help, as many vehicles are left locally by the thieves in case a tracker is fitted. Some trackers are factory fitted, and seeking the location is usually via an app. Faraday bags can also wear thin with the protective lining and one way to check this, is to go to the vehicle with the key in the bag to see if the vehicle opens and starts. If so, it needs replacing. Also don’t forget to put the spare key in a Faraday bag, or metal tin and away from the vehicle.

Brian thanked the two Officers for attending.

Minutes of the previous AGM

The Chairman presented the minutes from the last AGM 2025 (proposed by John Rapp and seconded by John Placek), which were accepted by the meeting.

Action items:

No new items.

Treasurer’s Report

The RRA Treasurer, John Placek presented the accounts up to 31/12/25 – link which have just been audited. John went through the accounts. Income from Members was down slightly on last year but not all subscriptions have been received yet from Road Stewards.

There was a large expenditure for the website redesign of £2,790 and an annual payment of £216, plus the expenditure for four new streets trees (£1,120), something the RRA have not done before. The website design (£2,790) is a one off but the annual maintenance (£216) will be ongoing each year. This is why there is a deficit for the year of £-1,847.57.

Expenditure; £6,717.97

Income; £4,870.40 (£2,530 from membership subscriptions)

Deficit; -£1,847.57

Bank account balances
Woodland Account (Restricted Funds – Woodland Appeal/Green Belt); £27,080.27

Unrestricted Funds; £18,522.75

Total £45,603.02

There were no questions on the accounts.

The accounts were proposed for acceptance by Brian Longman and agreed by the members.

Chairman’s Report (Brian Longman)

Brian gave thanks to the Committee, and said over the last few months he has semi stepped back from day to day matters. Brian reiterated the point we need more, and younger Committee members to help spread the volume of work.

Brian gave special thanks to Committee member John Rapp for his work on local transport matters, along with Keith Powell. John also covered Membership and Road Stewards and we do need some more Road Stewards on some streets.

Special thanks also to John Placek for his work as Treasurer and also Data Protection Officer.

Neil Tarrant was praised for his work as the Recorder Editor. The magazine used to be published twice yearly but had now been reduced to yearly (summer) as the E-Blast is so successful and comes out once, or even twice a month with up to date news. The RRA’s Facebook page also provides a lot of current information. Neil, also organises the RRA Children’s Xmas party along with his wife Rachel. A lot of work is involved with organising this. This event is very successful with about 60 children plus parents and grandparents and the St Edmund’s Hall is now too small. For alternative venues, the Collegiate is a possibility. All Saints Hall has been considered but is not in our area and maybe too far away for some.

Berni Munt does a marvellous job at writing the minutes at meetings.

And finally special thanks to Phil Thomas who is the Vice Chairman, plus looks after planning and environmental matters and also edits the Facebook page, the E-Blast and the RRA website.

Brian made the point that we used to have 20 residents on the Committee but that is now down to 11. We desperately need more residents to volunteer.

Brian asked the question – what is the purpose of Resident Associations representing neighbourhoods? His answer, to build and maintain community spirit at all levels in the local community.

The RRA use to run a very successful Fun Day on Riddlesdown Open Space in June but due to the reduced number of volunteers, together with the City of London’s partial funding dried up, this had to cease. The RRA are looking at maybe restarting this again and hopefully for 2027 – fully funded by the RRA and maybe with some sponsorship.

Brian asked the question – how do we get more residents in to help and be on the Committee? We are also losing Road Stewards and need more help here as well.

Brian thanked all the Ward Councillors for their help and assistance over the last 4 years, with the local elections due in May.

Vice Chairman’s Planning & Environmental Report (Phil Thomas)

Phil Thomas gave an update on the planning applications and decisions in the area since the last AGM.

It is still quite noticeable the number of applications for new houses and small scale flat developments has dropped locally – and also throughout the Borough. And many, but not all, are being refused either by the Council and/or the Planning Inspectorate. We know this because on behalf of 17 local Residents Associations, (we call ourselves CARA, – Croydon Alliance of Residents Associations), we monitor all the Council’s planning decisions and the decisions that go to the Planning Inspectorate on appeal.

In our area, the application at 31 Copthorne Rise for a detached house and 2 car parking spaces was granted by the Planning Sub Committee in February 2024, and the Section 106 agreement (which is a legal planning agreement between the Council and all parties) was completed in July 2024. However, a Variation of Condition application of the approved drawings was submitted on 23 July last year, to change some aspects of the scheme. After consultation with the nearby residents, the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to the revised application and asked for a referral to the Planning Committee. We objected about a number of things, and as yet Planners have not made a decision, or sent it to Committee.

Phil updated last year about a number of applications at 79 Riddlesdown Road; for flats, and the Council refused them all, but the last application went to appeal. The Planning Inspector dismissed this appeal and we believe the owner has decided to sell/has sold the property.

Five applications still remain outstanding since 2021, at 98 Hyde Road to regularise the authorised the use on this site. A revised application to the May 2023 application (for the Removal or Variation of a Condition) was submitted in May 2025, which both the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to and asked for a referral to Committee. The completed building is currently tenanted but we believe without the correct planning approvals in place. Cllr Lynne Hale and the RRA are still pursuing the Planners on this and we are all keen that they come to some sort of decision on this – soon.

Following the application r/o 30 Riddlesdown Ave for a new house, which was granted by the Council in October 2023, the Section 106 Agreement was completed in September 2024 and the Council received some more monies to upgrade the drainage on the access road, as flooding occurs to nearby properties. The RRA have been pushing for this work to be done, and the work was completed in March 2026. We are not sure if the road gullies have been put in the correct place as some are on the high side of the camber and only time will tell in a heavy downpour, and if the flooding is greatly reduced.

Farm fields on Mitchley Hill by the White Path – the RRA are still pursuing the Council’s Planning Enforcement Officer about the abandoned caravan and the steel baths on the former horse grazing land. It is now in a very poor state and a complete and utter eyesore on Green Belt land. The caravan was used to store horse feed in. The RRA have received a number of complaints from residents and we understand Planning Enforcement are still pursuing the owner’s Planning Agent about this.

Updates on Some Sites in Purley

The RRA have been making enquiries over the last few weeks and we have updates on some vacant and unfinished sites in Purley Town Centre:

Purley Pool, Flats and Car Park

There is still no final planning approval from Croydon Planners on the Purley Pool, flats and public/private car park scheme. Although the main application (24/00775/FUL) was approved by the Planning Committee in February 2025, it did require the GLA (London Mayor) to approve the scheme, and they have now raised no objection. We understand the Section 106 legal agreement, between the Council and all parties, has been drafted and is currently with the developer for comment and signing. Once complete we understand the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission. But it may then be subject to other legal agreements, as the Council are the freeholder of the land. As many residents will know, seven local Residents Associations, plus the Purley Mosque did object to the planning application, primarily with the loss of car parking to the town centre and the large number of later living flats. The seven RAs fully support the re-opening of the pool and leisure centre.

Whytecliffe Road South & Purley Station Car Park

The planning application lodged in 2021, (21/01753/FUL) for 238 flats and new station car park, has still not been granted despite being approved by the Planning Committee on 4 April 2024. Again it required the GLA to approve the scheme and this has been granted by them. The Section 106 legal agreement is with all parties waiting to be signed and returned to the Council. Once completed the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission.

Purley Baptist Church – 17 storey tower site (3 phases)

The developer have advised us that Phase 1 (the flats on the corner of Brighton Rd and Banstead Rd) have been partially occupied since the middle of last year. The remaining units in the taller block are not yet occupied, as the purchaser is liaising with the Building Safety Regulator and is seeking a permission before taking possession and allowing occupation.

The Phase 2 changes for the 17 storey residential flats are still progressing through pre-application discussions with Croydon Planners. The developer will share their proposals with the local community in advance of a formal planning application and they expect to hold a public consultation at some point in the summer 2026. A redesign of the tower block is required because of changes to legislation after the Grenfell Tower fire. Subject to this part of the scheme going ahead, phase 3 will follow after that; hopefully the completion of the Baptist Church site.

823-825 Brighton Road (new M&S store, studios and car park)

Asbestos removal and demolition works are/have taken place and ground works/building works are expected to commence soon. Most of the pre-work planning conditions have been submitted and approved by the Council. We understand completion is due circa the summer of 2027.

922-930 Purley Way

This is the flats site, with the tower cranes and concrete structure in place on the north side of the town centre, where the contractor went into liquidation last year.

A Non Material Amendment application has recently been submitted to the Council (26/00601/NMA) and hopefully, subject to being granted by Planners, this will be a precursor, to works recommencing on that site with a different contractor.

NPPF proposals letter

The Government earlier this year set out proposals to update the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England. Some of these changes were to the Green Belt land and allowing housing to be built on within a 15 minute walk to rail and tube/tram stations. Fourteen RAs from our CARA group jointly signed a 56 page letter and submitted this in early March, with our comments/objections/thoughts on these proposals. If the Government Department listen is another matter, but we await the outcome of this consultation.

Phil reported on a few things on the environmental aspect – the RRA sponsored 4 new trees last year via the Council’s Forestry team and these are located o/s 1 & 8 Coombe Wood Hill, 60 Westfield Ave and 33 Purley Bury Close.

Three of the trees are doing well but one of them at 33 Purley Bury Close was planted too late in the dry summer and the Council have agreed to replace this one because it is not surviving.

The RRA have agreed to sponsor four more trees for this year and we are told by the Forestry Manager these trees will be planted soon at 33 & 104 Westfield Ave, 37 Mitchley Ave & 21 Buttermere Gdns. Nearby residents have agreed to look after these trees. These trees do need watering well, plus those from last year and we would please ask residents who live nearby to water them during the first 3 years or so – especially in times of drought. We will again put notices on all the trees to this effect. If still successful, we will repeat this with a few more trees next year.

Road gullies

The Council have spent a lot of money of installing new gullies in Mitchley Ave and Lower Barn Rd over the last 3 years or so, but unfortunately they don’t always clean the road gullies on streets higher up from these two streets and it does put added pressure on rainwater flowing to these two low points in the area and flooding continues. But it is not as bad as previous. If residents see any blocked road gullies please report it to the Council, preferably on the Love Clean streets app.

Streets Near to the Rail Station

The RRA are aware that some rail commuters are parking across residents dropped kerbs in the four main streets near to the station (Lower Barn Rd, Coombe Wood Hill, Brancaster Lane and Riddlesdown Ave).

One way that can help to highlight the dropped kerb, is to have white an Access Protection Markings (APM) painted across a dropped kerb. The Council will do this for a charge and if a resident didn’t have an APM marked before, there will be a survey charge as well. For a joint dropped kerb, both house owners need to agree for the APM to go across the full width. Full details about how to go about this, please look at last year’s Recorder magazine, which is on our website, on page 13.

We know a number of residents have called out the Council’s Parking Division to have vehicles issued with a Parking Charge Notice (parking tickets), where the driver has parked with their wheels across dropped kerbs. And worse case scenario, the vehicles could be lifted by the Police, if a vehicle is trapped on the driveway/or in a garage.

New RRA website

The RRA employed a Company (Smarter Reach in Purley) last year to redesign our website as the software we had was out of date and not supported any more. This is now up and running. We are still rectifying one or two glitches but generally the comments we have received so far are very favourable.

E- Blast

For the latest things going on in the RRA area please sign up to our monthly E-Blast. Details how to sign up are on on the RRA website.

Riddlesdown Collegiate Facilities to Hire

If you run a group/sports team that are looking for a sports hall, sports pitches, indoor studios/hall, lecture theatre, fitness suite, gymnasium, grass pitches and classrooms etc? Then Riddlesdown Collegiate, have many facilities available to hire (out of school hours). If so, then please look on the Collegiate website homepage, or on the RRA website and the page for the Collegiate, for more details.

Questions – There were no questions from the audience.

Elections of Committee

Phil Thomas thanked Brian for all his hard work as Chairman over the last year. Phil reminded all present, and re-iterated Brian’s point, that none of us are getting any younger and we desperately need some more new blood and younger residents on the Committee. Phil also thanked all the other Committee members for their hard work as well. He made made the point that of course we are all volunteers and we don’t get paid for doing this community work. The more people who can help, does relieve the pressure on others on the Committee.

Phil thank all our Ward Councillors for all their efforts and support over the last 4 years. Of course we don’t know what will happen on 7 May at the local elections and good luck to all the candidates.

Phil then proposed that Brian be re-elected as Chairman (no other nominations) and John Placek seconded, and he was voted in, unanimously.

Brian then nominated John Placek as Treasurer (no other nominations) – seconded by Phil Thomas. Unanimous vote.

Brian nominated Phil Thomas for the post of Vice Chairman (no other nominations) – seconded by Keith Powell. Unanimous vote.

The rest of the committee were voted in en bloc – proposed by Brian Longman, seconded by Sean Ryan. Unanimous vote.

Full Committee of elected members for 2026/27

Brian Longman – Chairman & Riddlesdown Collegiate Liaison Officer

Phil Thomas – Vice Chairman; Planning & Environmental; Website & E-Blast Editor

John Placek – Treasurer and Data Protection Officer

Berni Munt – Minutes Secretary

John Rapp – Public Transport and Membership

Keith Powell – Public Transport Concerns

Neil Tarrant – Recorder Editor

Helen Chase – Footpaths Officer

Janice Kedwards

Jan Powell

Joyce Boakye-Ansah

General Questions from the Audience

None.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

Minutes taken by Phil Thomas

Held on: 9 April 2026 at 7.30 pm

At: St. Edmund’s Hall

Present were Sanderstead Ward Councillors Lynne Hale, Yvette Hopley, Helen Redfern; Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Ward Councillors Alasdair Stewart and Endri Llabuti; Purley & Woodcote Councillor Simon Brew. Also present was the Executive Mayor Jason Perry.

All RRA Committee members were present except Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt

Apologies were received from RRA Committee Members: Neil Tarrant and Berni Munt.

The meeting was opened by Brian Longman, the RRA Chairman.

Police Presentation

Due to time constrictions a presentation by PCSO Sam Brooks from the Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT and PC Bethany Beadle from the Waddon SNT took place first.

PCSO Sam Brooks said crime rates in the PO&R Ward were generally low and in the bottom 5 in the Borough. However there were still in particular house burglaries, and motor vehicle crime, and residents are encourage to take the necessary precautions. They visit all the victims of crime in the Ward.

There is now a new means of engagement with the public called ‘Met Engage’ and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up to received alerts and meetings/events.

A lot of police work is intelligence based from the public. Both Sanderstead and PO&R hold bi- monthly Ward meetings and these are not always well attended. The dates are advertised by the RRA as well as the Police.

The Police Officers were asked about excessive speeding in the 20 mph streets – sometimes 40, 50 or even 60 mph per hour. The response was that they don’t have the resources to be everywhere but they do undertake spot checks within streets with the appropriate traffic, or speed gun trained Officers. A resident asked why speed cameras can’t be put in some streets and this is the responsibility of TfL. However TfL will only install speed cameras mainly on Class A or Class B roads where there have been fatalities, or serious injuries.

A question was also raised about the number of theft of motor vehicles locally. The Police recognise this and are doing all they can to catch the individuals who use special wireless devices to pick up the signal from a key fob in a dwelling for the car to open and start. However, the public can help by placing their key fobs (if they are keyless entry) in Faraday bags, or metal tins and away from the vehicle. Some key fobs do ‘turn off’ – check your handbook. Installing additional steering wheel locks and trackers on the vehicles can help, as many vehicles are left locally by the thieves in case a tracker is fitted. Some trackers are factory fitted, and seeking the location is usually via an app. Faraday bags can also wear thin with the protective lining and one way to check this, is to go to the vehicle with the key in the bag to see if the vehicle opens and starts. If so, it needs replacing. Also don’t forget to put the spare key in a Faraday bag, or metal tin and away from the vehicle.

Brian thanked the two Officers for attending.

Minutes of the previous AGM

The Chairman presented the minutes from the last AGM 2025 (proposed by John Rapp and seconded by John Placek), which were accepted by the meeting.

Action items:

No new items.

Treasurer’s Report

The RRA Treasurer, John Placek presented the accounts up to 31/12/25 – link which have just been audited. John went through the accounts. Income from Members was down slightly on last year but not all subscriptions have been received yet from Road Stewards.

There was a large expenditure for the website redesign of £2,790 and an annual payment of £216, plus the expenditure for four new streets trees (£1,120), something the RRA have not done before. The website design (£2,790) is a one off but the annual maintenance (£216) will be ongoing each year. This is why there is a deficit for the year of £-1,847.57.

Expenditure; £6,717.97

Income; £4,870.40 (£2,530 from membership subscriptions)

Deficit; -£1,847.57

Bank account balances
Woodland Account (Restricted Funds – Woodland Appeal/Green Belt); £27,080.27

Unrestricted Funds; £18,522.75

Total £45,603.02

There were no questions on the accounts.

The accounts were proposed for acceptance by Brian Longman and agreed by the members.

Chairman’s Report (Brian Longman)

Brian gave thanks to the Committee, and said over the last few months he has semi stepped back from day to day matters. Brian reiterated the point we need more, and younger Committee members to help spread the volume of work.

Brian gave special thanks to Committee member John Rapp for his work on local transport matters, along with Keith Powell. John also covered Membership and Road Stewards and we do need some more Road Stewards on some streets.

Special thanks also to John Placek for his work as Treasurer and also Data Protection Officer.

Neil Tarrant was praised for his work as the Recorder Editor. The magazine used to be published twice yearly but had now been reduced to yearly (summer) as the E-Blast is so successful and comes out once, or even twice a month with up to date news. The RRA’s Facebook page also provides a lot of current information. Neil, also organises the RRA Children’s Xmas party along with his wife Rachel. A lot of work is involved with organising this. This event is very successful with about 60 children plus parents and grandparents and the St Edmund’s Hall is now too small. For alternative venues, the Collegiate is a possibility. All Saints Hall has been considered but is not in our area and maybe too far away for some.

Berni Munt does a marvellous job at writing the minutes at meetings.

And finally special thanks to Phil Thomas who is the Vice Chairman, plus looks after planning and environmental matters and also edits the Facebook page, the E-Blast and the RRA website.

Brian made the point that we used to have 20 residents on the Committee but that is now down to 11. We desperately need more residents to volunteer.

Brian asked the question – what is the purpose of Resident Associations representing neighbourhoods? His answer, to build and maintain community spirit at all levels in the local community.

The RRA use to run a very successful Fun Day on Riddlesdown Open Space in June but due to the reduced number of volunteers, together with the City of London’s partial funding dried up, this had to cease. The RRA are looking at maybe restarting this again and hopefully for 2027 – fully funded by the RRA and maybe with some sponsorship.

Brian asked the question – how do we get more residents in to help and be on the Committee? We are also losing Road Stewards and need more help here as well.

Brian thanked all the Ward Councillors for their help and assistance over the last 4 years, with the local elections due in May.

Vice Chairman’s Planning & Environmental Report (Phil Thomas)

Phil Thomas gave an update on the planning applications and decisions in the area since the last AGM.

It is still quite noticeable the number of applications for new houses and small scale flat developments has dropped locally – and also throughout the Borough. And many, but not all, are being refused either by the Council and/or the Planning Inspectorate. We know this because on behalf of 17 local Residents Associations, (we call ourselves CARA, – Croydon Alliance of Residents Associations), we monitor all the Council’s planning decisions and the decisions that go to the Planning Inspectorate on appeal.

In our area, the application at 31 Copthorne Rise for a detached house and 2 car parking spaces was granted by the Planning Sub Committee in February 2024, and the Section 106 agreement (which is a legal planning agreement between the Council and all parties) was completed in July 2024. However, a Variation of Condition application of the approved drawings was submitted on 23 July last year, to change some aspects of the scheme. After consultation with the nearby residents, the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to the revised application and asked for a referral to the Planning Committee. We objected about a number of things, and as yet Planners have not made a decision, or sent it to Committee.

Phil updated last year about a number of applications at 79 Riddlesdown Road; for flats, and the Council refused them all, but the last application went to appeal. The Planning Inspector dismissed this appeal and we believe the owner has decided to sell/has sold the property.

Five applications still remain outstanding since 2021, at 98 Hyde Road to regularise the authorised the use on this site. A revised application to the May 2023 application (for the Removal or Variation of a Condition) was submitted in May 2025, which both the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to and asked for a referral to Committee. The completed building is currently tenanted but we believe without the correct planning approvals in place. Cllr Lynne Hale and the RRA are still pursuing the Planners on this and we are all keen that they come to some sort of decision on this – soon.

Following the application r/o 30 Riddlesdown Ave for a new house, which was granted by the Council in October 2023, the Section 106 Agreement was completed in September 2024 and the Council received some more monies to upgrade the drainage on the access road, as flooding occurs to nearby properties. The RRA have been pushing for this work to be done, and the work was completed in March 2026. We are not sure if the road gullies have been put in the correct place as some are on the high side of the camber and only time will tell in a heavy downpour, and if the flooding is greatly reduced.

Farm fields on Mitchley Hill by the White Path – the RRA are still pursuing the Council’s Planning Enforcement Officer about the abandoned caravan and the steel baths on the former horse grazing land. It is now in a very poor state and a complete and utter eyesore on Green Belt land. The caravan was used to store horse feed in. The RRA have received a number of complaints from residents and we understand Planning Enforcement are still pursuing the owner’s Planning Agent about this.

Updates on Some Sites in Purley

The RRA have been making enquiries over the last few weeks and we have updates on some vacant and unfinished sites in Purley Town Centre:

Purley Pool, Flats and Car Park

There is still no final planning approval from Croydon Planners on the Purley Pool, flats and public/private car park scheme. Although the main application (24/00775/FUL) was approved by the Planning Committee in February 2025, it did require the GLA (London Mayor) to approve the scheme, and they have now raised no objection. We understand the Section 106 legal agreement, between the Council and all parties, has been drafted and is currently with the developer for comment and signing. Once complete we understand the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission. But it may then be subject to other legal agreements, as the Council are the freeholder of the land. As many residents will know, seven local Residents Associations, plus the Purley Mosque did object to the planning application, primarily with the loss of car parking to the town centre and the large number of later living flats. The seven RAs fully support the re-opening of the pool and leisure centre.

Whytecliffe Road South & Purley Station Car Park

The planning application lodged in 2021, (21/01753/FUL) for 238 flats and new station car park, has still not been granted despite being approved by the Planning Committee on 4 April 2024. Again it required the GLA to approve the scheme and this has been granted by them. The Section 106 legal agreement is with all parties waiting to be signed and returned to the Council. Once completed the Planning Dept can then issue a planning decision letter, granting permission.

Purley Baptist Church – 17 storey tower site (3 phases)

The developer have advised us that Phase 1 (the flats on the corner of Brighton Rd and Banstead Rd) have been partially occupied since the middle of last year. The remaining units in the taller block are not yet occupied, as the purchaser is liaising with the Building Safety Regulator and is seeking a permission before taking possession and allowing occupation.

The Phase 2 changes for the 17 storey residential flats are still progressing through pre-application discussions with Croydon Planners. The developer will share their proposals with the local community in advance of a formal planning application and they expect to hold a public consultation at some point in the summer 2026. A redesign of the tower block is required because of changes to legislation after the Grenfell Tower fire. Subject to this part of the scheme going ahead, phase 3 will follow after that; hopefully the completion of the Baptist Church site.

823-825 Brighton Road (new M&S store, studios and car park)

Asbestos removal and demolition works are/have taken place and ground works/building works are expected to commence soon. Most of the pre-work planning conditions have been submitted and approved by the Council. We understand completion is due circa the summer of 2027.

922-930 Purley Way

This is the flats site, with the tower cranes and concrete structure in place on the north side of the town centre, where the contractor went into liquidation last year.

A Non Material Amendment application has recently been submitted to the Council (26/00601/NMA) and hopefully, subject to being granted by Planners, this will be a precursor, to works recommencing on that site with a different contractor.

NPPF proposals letter

The Government earlier this year set out proposals to update the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England. Some of these changes were to the Green Belt land and allowing housing to be built on within a 15 minute walk to rail and tube/tram stations. Fourteen RAs from our CARA group jointly signed a 56 page letter and submitted this in early March, with our comments/objections/thoughts on these proposals. If the Government Department listen is another matter, but we await the outcome of this consultation.

Phil reported on a few things on the environmental aspect – the RRA sponsored 4 new trees last year via the Council’s Forestry team and these are located o/s 1 & 8 Coombe Wood Hill, 60 Westfield Ave and 33 Purley Bury Close.

Three of the trees are doing well but one of them at 33 Purley Bury Close was planted too late in the dry summer and the Council have agreed to replace this one because it is not surviving.

The RRA have agreed to sponsor four more trees for this year and we are told by the Forestry Manager these trees will be planted soon at 33 & 104 Westfield Ave, 37 Mitchley Ave & 21 Buttermere Gdns. Nearby residents have agreed to look after these trees. These trees do need watering well, plus those from last year and we would please ask residents who live nearby to water them during the first 3 years or so – especially in times of drought. We will again put notices on all the trees to this effect. If still successful, we will repeat this with a few more trees next year.

Road gullies

The Council have spent a lot of money of installing new gullies in Mitchley Ave and Lower Barn Rd over the last 3 years or so, but unfortunately they don’t always clean the road gullies on streets higher up from these two streets and it does put added pressure on rainwater flowing to these two low points in the area and flooding continues. But it is not as bad as previous. If residents see any blocked road gullies please report it to the Council, preferably on the Love Clean streets app.

Streets Near to the Rail Station

The RRA are aware that some rail commuters are parking across residents dropped kerbs in the four main streets near to the station (Lower Barn Rd, Coombe Wood Hill, Brancaster Lane and Riddlesdown Ave).

One way that can help to highlight the dropped kerb, is to have white an Access Protection Markings (APM) painted across a dropped kerb. The Council will do this for a charge and if a resident didn’t have an APM marked before, there will be a survey charge as well. For a joint dropped kerb, both house owners need to agree for the APM to go across the full width. Full details about how to go about this, please look at last year’s Recorder magazine, which is on our website, on page 13.

We know a number of residents have called out the Council’s Parking Division to have vehicles issued with a Parking Charge Notice (parking tickets), where the driver has parked with their wheels across dropped kerbs. And worse case scenario, the vehicles could be lifted by the Police, if a vehicle is trapped on the driveway/or in a garage.

New RRA website

The RRA employed a Company (Smarter Reach in Purley) last year to redesign our website as the software we had was out of date and not supported any more. This is now up and running. We are still rectifying one or two glitches but generally the comments we have received so far are very favourable.

E- Blast

For the latest things going on in the RRA area please sign up to our monthly E-Blast. Details how to sign up are on on the RRA website.

Riddlesdown Collegiate Facilities to Hire

If you run a group/sports team that are looking for a sports hall, sports pitches, indoor studios/hall, lecture theatre, fitness suite, gymnasium, grass pitches and classrooms etc? Then Riddlesdown Collegiate, have many facilities available to hire (out of school hours). If so, then please look on the Collegiate website homepage, or on the RRA website and the page for the Collegiate, for more details.

Questions – There were no questions from the audience.

Elections of Committee

Phil Thomas thanked Brian for all his hard work as Chairman over the last year. Phil reminded all present, and re-iterated Brian’s point, that none of us are getting any younger and we desperately need some more new blood and younger residents on the Committee. Phil also thanked all the other Committee members for their hard work as well. He made made the point that of course we are all volunteers and we don’t get paid for doing this community work. The more people who can help, does relieve the pressure on others on the Committee.

Phil thank all our Ward Councillors for all their efforts and support over the last 4 years. Of course we don’t know what will happen on 7 May at the local elections and good luck to all the candidates.

Phil then proposed that Brian be re-elected as Chairman (no other nominations) and John Placek seconded, and he was voted in, unanimously.

Brian then nominated John Placek as Treasurer (no other nominations) – seconded by Phil Thomas. Unanimous vote.

Brian nominated Phil Thomas for the post of Vice Chairman (no other nominations) – seconded by Keith Powell. Unanimous vote.

The rest of the committee were voted in en bloc – proposed by Brian Longman, seconded by Sean Ryan. Unanimous vote.

Full Committee of elected members for 2026/27

Brian Longman – Chairman & Riddlesdown Collegiate Liaison Officer

Phil Thomas – Vice Chairman; Planning & Environmental; Website & E-Blast Editor

John Placek – Treasurer and Data Protection Officer

Berni Munt – Minutes Secretary

John Rapp – Public Transport and Membership

Keith Powell – Public Transport Concerns

Neil Tarrant – Recorder Editor

Helen Chase – Footpaths Officer

Janice Kedwards

Jan Powell

Joyce Boakye-Ansah

General Questions from the Audience

None.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

Minutes taken by Phil Thomas