Hi,

I received the usual planning details of a proposed new building in my part of the neighbourhood. The application is for the construction of a single storey building at the back of Morley's to be used as a cab office.

Details at http://planning.croydon.gov.uk/DCWebPages/AcolNetCGI.gov (reference 08/00541/P).

This seems nuts to me when there are so many empty premises around the Triangle. Also, to site a cab office on a cul-de-sac of a residential road where you'd struggle to park a bike let alone a string of sleeping cabbies beggers belief. Obviously it's about the owners of Morleys wanting to spread a little more misery to their neighbours.

Any one any idea of the likely success of such an application?

I agree - it's ridiculous + with technology these days I do not see why they need such space whilst they might just want to use either the former estate agent or any other small empty space in the triangle.

Line of attack is definitely the parking aspect.
Best to point out that street parking is massively limited for retailers in the area and this will compound the issue. Councils have to listen to that argument.

I have had a look at this application and it should not even have been registed as valid application on two counts.

Firstly it is a change of use of the land from retail to mini-cab office requiring an additional fee and secondly they have not submitted a design and access statement which is statutory requirement for planning applications of this type.

The three most likely objections that could be raised are noise and disturbance from vehicles parked outside, potential impact on highway safety and impact of the building on the conservation area.

Gartom - Do we need another minicab facility? I have submitted an objection (a copy pm'd to you). I would suggest you print off the application and circulate your immediate area with possible grounds for objection (making clear how people can object). Good luck!!

Thanks very much for pointing this out.

I'm probably being slow here, but is there somewhere to register objections online?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

I live in one of the cul-de-sacs of St Aubyn's Road. It is already difficult enough to turn right into St Aubyn's from the triangle as people often pull up and dump their cars outside Morley's. Cabs hovering at the end of this road and junction onto the triangle will be a disaster. The constant pulling in and turning of mini cabs into the Morley's drive will just make this problem ten times worse.

Perhaps we can get the people who constantly fly tip there to complain that they will lose their 'turf'.

If you follow the link provided above you can register your objection or comments

I have received confirmation that this has been refused.

The development would harm the setting of the Conservation Area and would thereby conflict with Policies SP4 and UC3 of the Croydon replacement Unitary Development Plan (The Croydon Plan)

The development would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area and would thereby conflict with Policies SP4 and UC3 of the Croydon Replacement Unitary Development Plan (The Croydon Plan)

The development would result in an unacceptable level of noise and general disturbance for the occupiers of nearby residential properties. The proposal would thereby conflict with Policies EP1 and T7 of the Croydon Replacement Unitary Development Plan (the Croydon Plan).

The development would result in traffic congestion and additional parking demand and would thereby conflict with Policy T7 and UC3 of the Croydon Replacement Unitary Development Plan (The Croydon Plan)