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: 15 April 2025 at 7 pm

At: St. Edmunds Hall

Present were Sanderstead Ward Councillor Lynne Hale, and Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Ward Councillors Endri Llabuti and Alasdair Stewart. Apologies were received from: Sanderstead Ward Councillors Yvette Hopley and Helen Redfern.

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

Minutes of the previous AGM

The Chairman presented the minutes from the last AGM (proposed by Phil Thomas and seconded by John Placek), which were accepted by the meeting:

Action items:

No new items.

Treasurers Report overview

The Treasurer John Placek presented the accounts for 2023/24 – link. He stated that RRA funds have recovered over the last two years (post-COVID); the increase in the subscription to £5 has helped. Some 30% of members are now paying by Bank Transfer, and membership stands at about 40% of Riddlesdown households. The Association has received the sum of £730 from CHASRO (Croham Hurst and Sanderstead Residents Against Overdevelopment) which has closed down.

Expenditure – £2,591.25
Income – £4,913.19                       £2,965.00 from membership subscriptions

Bank account balances
Woodland Account (Ring Fenced for Green Belt) £25,452.12 Current account £21,998.47
The accounts have been audited.

There were no questions on the accounts. After Brian had given an explanation of the background for the Ring Fenced Woodland account for any new attendees, the accounts were proposed for acceptance by John Rapp and agreed by the members.

Chairman’s Report

Brian gave thanks to the committee, which had been very active during the year, especially John Placek, who as well as continuing as Treasurer is also the Data Protection Officer. Thanks were given also to Neil Tarrant, who produces the Recorder and organises the Children’s Christmas Party. John Rapp was thanked for his work on train and bus issues, as well as Membership. Also Berni Munt, for the meeting minutes. Lastly, Phil Thomas, now the Vice Chairman and Planning & Environmental Officer, who does so much for the committee, including covering for the Chairman, and producing the E-Blast, and running the website, which is currently being re-vamped.

Brian advised that the Committee still needed new members. He predicted that there were tough times ahead for Residents’ Associations in the next 3-4 years. Online payment of subscriptions remains low, and more Road Stewards were still needed – John Rapp is servicing 4 or 5 roads himself.

Brian asked what was the purpose of a Residents’ Association, if not to represent the interests of the residents. The Riddlesdown Association does this every day. Are we going in the right directions? The Association ran a seminar and survey 10 years ago – do we need another seminar/survey?

Vice Chairman’s Report

Planning update

Phil Thomas gave an update on the planning applications and decisions in the area since the last AGM. It is quite noticeable the number of applications for new houses and flats has dropped locally – and throughout the Borough. And many, but not all, are being refused either by the Council and/or the Planning Inspectorate.

The application at 31 Copthorne Rise for a detached house and car parking spaces – was granted by the Planning Sub Committee on 22 February 2024 and the S106 agreement completed on 22 July 2024. This was despite local opposition from residents and opposition from the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale. This new house is in the cul-de sac section of Westfield Ave.

A second application at 79 Riddlesdown Road – for a new part two/three storey building comprising of 5 flats, 5 car parking spaces was refused by the Council Planning Officers on 9 October. However, it has now gone to appeal on 3 April. This site is at the top of the access road on Riddlesdown Rd where many new houses and a couple of flatted developments have been built. The RRA objected and so did Cllr Alasdair Stewart. We believe this is an over-development of the site and we suspect the Planning Inspector will agree. The first application for 6 flats was refused by Planning Officers.

As many residents will be aware, the Doctors surgery at 116 Mitchley Ave closed on 31 March and Dr Woolf has retired from that date. An initial planning application was submitted to convert it to a House in Multiple Occupation, as a 4 bedroom and 7 person unit which both the RRA and Cllr Lynne Hale objected to. This application got withdrawn by the applicant and a subsequent application was submitted for a change of use from a Doctor’s Surgery back to dwelling-house. We made no further comments/objection and this application was granted by Planning Officers on 14 March.

Five applications remain outstanding since 2021, at 98 Hyde Road to regularise the authorised use on this site. The completed building is tenanted with the flats in occupation but without the correct planning approvals. Cllr Lynne Hale and the RRA are still pursuing Planners on this and we are all keen they come to some sort of decision on this – soon.

The application r/o 30 Riddlesdown Ave for the demolition of existing garage fronting Riddlesdown Rd, and a new house had the permission granted by the Planning sub Committee in October 2023 and the Section 106 Agreement was completed in September 2024. This is another house fronting the access road running parallel to the main Riddlesdown Rd. The RRA are trying to get the Council to upgrade the drainage and on this road, as flooding occurs to a nearby property and we are told these works will happen soon. New street lighting has been put in at our request. And we are also told the road will be resurfaced but hopefully after the building works are complete, so it won’t get damaged.

An application at 75a Riddlesdown Rd (the corner of Riddlesdown Ave) was recently refused by Officers to convert the existing house into 4 self contained units with four parking spaces. The RRA did not comment on the application.

An application at 90 Riddlesdown Road for the demolition of existing house and a block of 9 flats plus car parking was refused by Planning Officers in January 2024. This went to appeal and the Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal in January 2025. This site next door to the 21 flats currently being constructed at No. 88.

There have been a few applications for the Vera restaurant at 77 Mitchley Ave – for a variation of the opening hours until 11pm on Friday and Saturdays from 10.30pm. The Council refused the application and it went to appeal. There have been noise complaints to Environmental Health and the Planning Inspector felt in his decision that ‘this would have a significant adverse impact on the quality of life of these nearby occupiers.’ So the appeal was dismissed and closure times for Fridays and Saturdays remain at 10.30pm.

There have been a couple of raised decks placed on the footway in front of the Cafe and Vera and it has been discovered that each of these shops own all the pavement in front of the shops, and it is not adopted highway, although the Council/public should have a prescriptive right of way through the time it has been used. The access road is adopted highway.

Farm fields Mitchley Hill by the White Path – there is a redundant caravan on the horse grazing field which is authorised, but as the field hasn’t been used for horse grazing for a number of years now, the RRA have asked the Planners if the dilapidated caravan is allowed to stay within this Green Belt field. We are waiting a further response from Planning Enforcement on this.

Out of our area but nearby:

The former Milk & More Depot at 823 Brighton Road Purley was granted planning permission on 26 February by Planning Officers, for a new M&S Foodhall together with a Creative and Cultural Enterprise Centre to the rear and a 70 space car park. The RRA and Cllr Alasdair Stewart supported this application.

Planning permission was granted in April 2024 at 26-52 Whytecliffe Road South & Purley Railway Station Car Park for redevelopment of the site for buildings up to 4 to 9 storeys high and to provide 238 residential flats together with replacement station car park – but a smaller one – from 165 spaces to 125 commuter car paces and 17 motorcycle parking spaces. The application is still subject to the completion of a legal Section 106 agreement. The site is opposite the Purley multi storey car park and former Purley Leisure Centre.

The Purley Leisure Centre complex was granted planning permission by the Planning Committee on 27 February last. The RRA and 6 other RAs (Hartley & District RA, East Coulsdon RA, Selsdon RA, Croham Valley RA, Old Coulsdon RA, and Coulsdon West RA), plus members from the Purley Mosque (currently under construction), and a huge number of residents objecting to the application.

The application is for the demolition of the existing leisure centre and m/s car park and for a new Pool/gym, 220 Later Living flats and a car park. But there will only be 78 car parking spaces, down from the current 424 spaces. The flats will initially have 4 disabled parking spaces, but if the future owners/occupiers of the flats want more parking, then these spaces will be taken out of the public parking allocation. So thereby reducing the public parking allocation even more from the 74.

The 7 RAs are very much in favour of a new leisure centre/pool but the public parking aspect is of great concern to us for the viability of the Purley town centre. It is the 7 RAs belief that the Purley District Centre trade will suffer financially because of this huge reduction in parking. We are also concerned about patients visiting Purley Hospital, which is expanding in services provided, but visitors will have nowhere to park. Public transport for outlying and adjoining areas, especially in an east/west direction is poor. We are also concerned about some aspects of massing and loss of sunlight with the new high rise buildings on adjoining properties, some of which are residential. It also doesn’t comply with the current Croydon Local Plan 2018, in particular, relating to the height of the new buildings.

The Planning Officer stated in the report that the recommendation to grant approval was finely balanced, and there were a number of aspects the Planners were not entirely happy with as well. Some Planning Committee Members, and other supporters speaking, also raised certain aspects about the proposed scheme and also raised concerns about the lack of parking.

But despite a huge number of public objections (1,710 objecting and 544 supporting over two public consultations), plus the objection of 7 local Residents Associations and the Purley Mosque, it was approved by the Planning Committee, by 8 votes, none against and 2 abstentions.

The decision is still subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement between the applicant Polaska and the Council, and then it needs the approval of the GLA (the London Mayor) – who could still refuse it – for too much parking!

If both the schemes, the railway car park site and the multi-storey car park are built at the same time, then parking in Purley town centre could be a huge issue for a number of years until completion, with the temporary loss of two major town centre car parks.

Purley Baptist Church Sites and 17 storey Tower

We are aware that Phase 1 of this housing development is compete and occupiers are moving into the flats on the south side of Banstead Rd but the 17 storey tower and Church complex has hit a snag, in that the tower needs redesigning to accommodate two staircases following the Grenfell tower Public Inquiry and new legislation. It was only designed with one staircase. We last contacted the developer in January and they had no further update to provide us then. We are waiting more information from them.

One point on the environmental aspect – the RRA have sponsored the planting of 4 new trees via the Council and these are located at 1 & 8 Coombe Wood Hill, 60 Westfield Abe and 33 Purley Bury Close. Three of the trees have been planted and the one in Purley Bury Close should be planted soon. They do need watering and we would please ask residents who live nearby to water them (a lot) during the first 3 years or so – especially in times of drought. We will put notices on all 4 trees to this effect. If successful, we will repeat with a few more trees sponsored next year.

Lastly, Access Protection Markings (APMs) are making a comeback, but must be paid for. The rates are £53 for an initial survey, £150-168 (depending on size) for the actual marking. The survey fee is waived if APMs were previously installed. More details will appear on our website about this and in the 2025 Recorder magazine.

End of Vice Chairman’s report

Elections

Phil Thomas thanked Brian for all his work as Chairman over the years, and also the Councillors for all their efforts. He then proposed that Brian be re-elected as Chairman, Janice Edwards seconded, and he was voted in, unanimously.

Brian nominated John Placek as Treasurer – seconded by Phil Thomas. Unanimous vote.

Brian nominated Phil Thomas for the post of Vice Chairman, seconded by Neil Tarrant. Unanimous vote.

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

Full Committee of elected members

Brian Longman – Chairman & Riddlesdown Collegiate Liaison Officer

Phil Thomas – Vice Chairman; Planning & Environmental; Website 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

Questions from the floor

One member noted that flats were now on sale in 89 Hyde Road, and asked the reason for the 3 year gap in the development. Phil explained that it was due to the bankruptcy of the original developer.

Another member asked who owned the fields off Mitchley Avenue and Mitchley Hill. Phil explained that it was a Property Company in West Sussex who also owned other parcels of land and woodlands in the area. Phil advised that the Croydon Local Plan still recognises the designation of these fields as Metropolitan Green Belt.

Any Other Business

A member asked how people were finding the transfer of the Doctor’s surgery from the Mitchley Avenue to the Selsdon Practice. The reaction was mixed. Buses were found to be full, traffic heavy at times and daytime parking limited. John Rapp is asking for the 412 service to be improved.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Minutes taken by Berni Munt

Held on: 17 April 2024 at 7pm

At: St. Edmund’s Hall

Apologies were received from: Sanderstead Ward Councillors Lynne Hale, Yvette Hopley and Helen Redfern; and Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Councillors Endri Llabuti and Alasdair Stewart. Also from Helen Chase, Jenny & Roger Boff.

The meeting was opened by Brian Longman, RRA Chairman.

Minutes of the previous AGM

The chairman presented the minutes from the last AGM 2023 (proposed by Phil Thomas and seconded by John Placek), which were accepted by the meeting:

Action items:

No new items.

Treasurers Report overview

The Treasurer John Placek presented the accounts for 2023: Link to accounts.

Expenditure: £2,309.30  

Income: £3,487.50 | £2,837.50 from membership subscription   

Bank account balances

Woodland Account (Ring Fenced for Green Belt): £24,722.00

Current account: £20,406.65

The accounts have been audited by Angela Green.

Actions Completed

•  Chase the pharmacy for £55 for last year’s recorder ads (John Placek/Neil Tarrant) – COMPLETED
•  Linda Bevin to be removed as signatory on the bank account – COMPLETED
•  John Placek to be added as bank account signatory – COMPLETED

New Actions

None recorded.

Brian proposed that the report be accepted, seconded by Janice Kedwards.

Chairman’s Report

Brian gave thanks to the committee, which had been very active during the year, especially John Placek, who as well as continuing as Treasurer is also the Data Protection Officer. Brian noted that many members are still paying cash, although some are paying by Standing Order/Direct Debit.

Last year there was only one issue of the Recorder magazine, which will continue to be the case this year and future years. It was noted that this year the Association had broken even, but had benefited from the increased subscription rate of £5, up from £3 previously.

Brian noted that we were lucky to have our Road Stewards, who do a good job. The Association still has a high proportion of the 1,400 households as members (the figure has been as high as 90% in the past) but this has reduced considerably since the pandemic.

Thanks were given also to Neil Tarrant, who produces the Recorder and organises the Children’s Christmas Party.

John Rapp and Keith Powell were thanked for their work on train and bus issues, trying to improve services for everyone.

And finally Phil Thomas, now the Vice Chairman and Planning & Environmental Officer, who has a wealth of knowledge on these matters. He is also responsible for the E-Blast, which is now received by 250 subscribers and the website.

There seem to be more issues since Croydon Council issued a number of Section 114 notices. For example a car that had been abandoned outside the Lower Barn Rd shops took about 2 months to be removed, due to the Council’s inefficiency. It was only after the RRA’s persistence that it was removed by the Police and not the Council.

Brian advised that two people had joined the Committee after the last AGM, which was welcome, but the Committee still needed new members.

Transport and parking: it was noted that the current proposal for a new Purley Leisure centre would severely reduce the current number of parking spaces, and inconvenience not only potential users of the pool, but also user of the town centre along with the staff and patients at the nearby Purley Hospital. See Vice Chairman’s report below for more details.

Flooding also continues to be an issue, and seems to be getting worse, despite the recent flood alleviation works in Lower Barn Rd and on Mitchley Ave. It seems the new design of culvert easily gets blocked with leaves.

Brian advised that following the changes to the Ward boundaries, Riddlesdown was now represented by five councillors (the Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Ward (2 Cllrs) and the Sanderstead Ward (3 Cllrs)).

Brian concluded by observing that the RRA sometimes joins forces with other Residents’ Associations, especially those in the south of the borough on issues such as the Purley Pool and planning. We are part of a group of about 17 RAs called CARA (Croydon Alliance of Residents Associations).

Vice Chairman’s Report

Planning rep, Phil Thomas began with a description of the proposals for the Purley Pool Leisure Centre site: “demolition of the existing buildings and new 5 to 12 storey buildings to provide a leisure centre, commercial unit, an Integrated Retirement Community comprising a mix of Specialist Older Persons Housing and Care Accommodation for older people, car parking (78), landscaping, and associated works.”

Public car parking would be reduced from 424 spaces to only 45 plus 5 disabled – total 50. It is proposed there be only 28 parking spaces for 220 flats. Seven local RAs have come together to raise objection to the scheme.

The seven RAs believe the Council should also take into account the development at 26-52 Whytecliffe Road South & Purley Station Car Park for the “demolition of the existing three terraces of houses, redevelopment of these and the existing station car park. A new 6/part 8/part 9 storey building and separate part 4/part 5 storey building to provide 238 residential units together with replacement station car park 125 spaces  (down from 165)” which has now been granted by the Council.

The availability of Council public car parking within the Purley District Centre will be severely reduced from 547 spaces to 173 spaces if this Pool application is approved by the Council. It is the RAs belief that the Council cannot rely on other private car parks to provide the shortfall in public parking within the PDC.

The Purley Mosque site in Whytecliffe Rd South is currently being constructed. This new building has no parking and the RAs are aware from the current usage at the former Coulsdon & Purley Town Hall building, which is being used as a temporary mosque, that especially on Friday mornings, parking is very hard to find around this location.

Construction of both developments will take about 3 to 4 years. Where are visitors to Purley DC meant to park during the construction period?

We’ve all seen what has happened to the trade in Croydon town centre and the RAs are fearful Purley town centre will follow the same way, should long term public parking be severely reduced.

Have the Council done any surveys as to the demand for these type of flats for the elderly, especially in high rise blocks?

Mobile Phone Masts: we are aware that the four main mobile phone companies have their masts and equipment located on the roof of the multi storey car park and that these will need to be removed from when demolition takes place. Where are the replacement mobile masts to be located within the town centre as a temporary measure, and then after completion of the new complex? Surely this is something that needs to be taken into account at the design and planning stage, as any masts located on the roof of the tallest block (or other blocks) could have an impact the aesthetics of the scheme?

Cycle Parking: the RAs note a total of 39 long stay cycle parking spaces and 41 short-stay cycle parking spaces are proposed for residents.

The public consultation closes on Thursday 25 April. The seven RAs do have a meeting with the Executive Mayor Jason Perry & Chris Philp MP, 23 April to discuss the matter further.

End of Vice Chair’s report.

Woodland Fund

Brian Longman then gave a ‘potted’ history of the Woodland Fund, and stated that the Green Belt was still a priority for the Association.

Brian emphasised the importance of social connections, and as an example the Children’s Christmas Party, which had been going for over forty years. The Fun Day which was also much missed – but it needed lots of work to be a success, and needed more volunteers to work. The Association had wanted to run a Film Club for the elderly, but no funding was available from the Council, so was not viable.

Brian reported that the hall at St. Edmund’s might be refurbished in the near future although this was not certain. In the past, the hall had hosted the RRA local Dramatic Society, the “Riddlesdown Players”, and Brian had available some mementoes of this. It was noted that the Collegiate had a new Principal, who was keen on integrating the Community.

Elections

Phil Thomas thanked Brian for his 25+ years on the Committee and then proposed that he be re-elected as chairman, which he was, unanimously.

Brian nominated John Placek as Treasurer – seconded by Phil Thomas – Unanimous

Brian nominated Phil Thomas for the post of Vice Chairman, seconded by Keith Powell –Unanimous

The rest of the committee were voted in en bloc – proposed by Brian Longman, seconded by Neil Tarrant – Unanimous

Full Committee of elected members

Brian Longman – Chairman & Collegiate Liaison

Phil Thomas – Vice Chairman; Planning & Environmental; Website 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 – Riddlesdown Recorder Editor

Janice Kedwards

Jan Powell

Ann Shepherd

Joyce Boakye-Ansah

Questions from the floor

None.

Any Other Business

Brian advised that there was to be a litter pick on Saturday 20 April 2024 at 2pm.

Meeting closed at 8pm.

Minutes taken by Berni Munt