The RRA have been contacted over the last few days by some residents concerned about GL Hearn (Property Consultants) who spoke at the Croydon Local Plan hearing on Tuesday morning (23/5/17), on behalf of Bovis Homes.

Bovis were asking the Planning Inspector that Croydon Council remove the Green Belt status on the farmland in Riddlesdown (Mitchley Ave, Rectory Park/Mitchley Hill).

The RRA have been attending a number of the hearing sessions but we were not made aware this subject would be discussed on Tuesday morning, as these sites had not been listed for discussion. However, Sanderstead Ward Cllr Yvette Hopley was present and she gave evidence to the hearing defending the Green Belt. Bovis say exceptional circumstances allow for schools to be built on Green Belt land (i.e. Riddlesdown Collegiate) so why not houses!

The RRA are of the view that Bovis are taking a shot in the dark with this. National Planning Policy is very clear that Local Planning Authorities (LPA) can only consider Green Belt de-designation where they can demonstrate they cannot meet their housing need through other brownfield, higher densities, conversions etc. In other words, it’s a very high bar that the LPA would have to achieve to justify Green Belt release.

Post note 1/2/20 – see this link