April SPAN
will not be delivered due to the severe restrictions on us all arising from the
coronavirus situation. We know that a number of our Road Stewards are
deemed “at risk” through age, if nothing else – it would be irresponsible
of us, in the current circumstances, to request that they deliver magazines to
the homes in their “patch”.
In any event,
much of the April magazine related to the SPRA AGM – which has been postponed;
to church services over the Easter season – which have been cancelled; and to
the “routine events, Library events and “yellow pages” events –
all of which are suspended.
The short-term
future for SPAN looks like a blank for several months at least; production will
be resumed as soon as this is feasible. In the meantime, collection of the
annual subscription is suspended for three months.
Please
re-visit this site from time to time to stay up-to-date with what (if anything)
is happening.
In the
meantime, SPRA will continue to watch out for issues impacting our members
and will let you know what actions have been taken.
The following may be with us soon – watch out, and if you come across it, tell your neighbours, especially older or otherwise vulnerable ones:-
Local police are warning people of suspicious activity after several reports of people knocking on doors claiming to be offering on-the-spot coronavirus tests.
Some local residents or elderly relatives in Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley have reported people knocking on their doors claiming to be from “the health authorities.”
People were then told they were carrying our compulsory Covid-19 tests, or just offering on-the-spot tests.
Similar scams have been reported across the UK, in Harrow and in Wales.
Police believe they may be attempting to gain access to houses or tricking people into parting with their money.
Greenwich West and Shooters Hill Police both asked residents to be aware, and if in any doubt, not to open their doors and speak to callers through a window.
Due to the unprecedented guidance given
by the Government for people to avoid social contact wherever possible, the AGM
is postponed from the May date to a date yet to be agreed. The closure of all
suitable venues for the AGM including Harris Academy Benson would in any event
have made continuing with the meeting frankly impossible.
As soon as meetings generally can
resume, the Executive Committee will seek another date; members will be
advised, through the magazine and the website, of the new arrangement at the
earliest opportunity.
We trust that members will understand
the need for such a move and be assured that this important element in the
governance of the Association will be held whenever circumstances change for
the better.
This month’s
SPAN magazine is an extra special edition as we are reaching out to all
households in the Spring Park area of Shirley to give everyone the opportunity
to take up membership of SPRA. Every
home in our area will receive a copy of our residents’ magazine regardless of
whether they are already a member of SPRA or not. Copies will also be available in pubs,
restaurants, Churches, the library and other public places so encourage your
friends, who aren’t as yet SPRA members, to make sure they get their hands on a
copy so they can see what they are missing out on. April is the start of a new year for
membership subscriptions so it couldn’t be a better time to join SPRA and
receive a whole year’s worth of SPAN absolutely free. Membership for 2020 costs just £6, so put
aside the right money now so you are ready when your road steward comes calling
to collect the fee.
To celebrate
this important issue of SPAN, we are running a competition open to all readers
of March SPAN who live in the Spring Park area.
There’s a very good prize on offer – a multi-retailer gift voucher for
£100 – so it’s worth having a go – what have you got to lose? You’ll find the entry form in the March
edition of SPAN. All you have to do is
to answer a simple question – and the answer can be found somewhere in this
issue of SPAN. The closing date for
entries is 30 April 2020 and the winner will be announced at our AGM on 20 May
which will be held at Harris Academy Benson School. Like all good competitions, there are some
terms and conditions – so here’s the small print:
The
competition is open to all residents of Spring Park aged over 18 (A map of the
Spring Park area can be found on the SPRA website: www.springparkra.co.uk. Proof of address will be required) except members of the SPRA
Executive and the SPAN Editorial Committees, SPRA Trustees and auditors and
their close families and anyone connected with running and/or judging the
competition.
The
competition is open from the date of publication of March SPAN. The closing date is midnight on 30 April 2020
and entries received after this time will not be considered.
In
the event of more than one correct answer being received, all correct entries
will be placed into a draw and the winner will be selected at random. The
winner will be announced at the SPRA AGM on 20 May. The winner will be notified within seven
days of the AGM if they are not present.
By
entering this competition, the winner agrees for their name and image to be
used for publicity purposes. No
personal information regarding address or contact details will be published.
The
name of the winner will be announced in the July edition of SPAN.
Entrants
will be asked to indicate if they wish to join a SPRA mailing list. Data of those entrants who do not wish to be
included in any future communications will be destroyed no later than one month
after the prize announcement.
There
is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this competition.
The
prize is a multi-retailer gift voucher for £100. No cash prize will be given.
Only
one entry is permitted per person.
Multiple entries from the same person will mean that person is
disqualified.
The
promoter takes no responsibility for entries that aren’t received by the
deadline – whatever the reason.
The
promoter of this competition is Spring Park Residents’ Association and contact details
can be found on the back pages of SPAN.
The
competition promoter’s decision is final.
The
promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
By
entering this competition, entrants are agreeing to abide by these terms and
conditions.
SPRA /SPAN March 2020 Competition terms and Conditions
The competition is open to all residents of
Spring Park aged over 18 (A map of the Spring Park area can be found on the
SPRA website: www.springparkra.co.uk. Proof of address will be required)
except members of the SPRA Executive and the SPAN Editorial Committees, SPRA
Trustees and auditors and their close families and anyone connected with
running and/or judging the competition.
The
competition is open from the date of publication of March SPAN. The closing date is midnight on 30 April 2020
and entries received after this time will not be considered.
In
the event of more than one correct answer being received, all correct entries
will be placed into a draw and the winner will be selected at random. The
winner will be announced at the SPRA AGM on 20 May. The winner will be notified within seven
days of the AGM if they are not present.
By
entering this competition, the winner agrees for their name and image to be
used for publicity purposes. No
personal information regarding address or contact details will be published.
The
name of the winner will be announced in the July edition of SPAN.
Entrants
will be asked to indicate if they wish to join a SPRA mailing list. Data of those entrants who do not wish to be
included in any future communications will be destroyed no later than one month
after the prize announcement.
There
is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this competition.
The
prize is a multi-retailer gift voucher for £100. No cash prize will be given.
Only
one entry is permitted per person.
Multiple entries from the same person will mean that person is
disqualified.
The
promoter takes no responsibility for entries that aren’t received by the
deadline – whatever the reason.
The
promoter of this competition is Spring Park Residents’ Association and contact
details can be found on the back pages of SPAN.
The
competition promoter’s decision is final.
The
promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time.
By
entering this competition, entrants are agreeing to abide by these terms and
conditions.
Members are encouraged to tell the Council what they think, as below (closing date 31 January 2020)
The Big Conversation asks what we want Croydon to be like in 2030? We take a look at some of the challenges we face now; how Croydon is changing; and how we all have a part to play.
We’ve highlighted six topics to talk about and want to hear from everyone who lives, works and spends time in Croydon. Find out more on our website bigconversation.croydon.gov.uk
Hall Grange is continuing the process of reclaiming the historically important garden in their grounds and tidying up the rest of their garden areas; this is a chance to contribute by getting dirty.
They are looking to plant bulbs in their borders, on Saturdays 19 and 26 October beween 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Donations of bulbs, and volunteers for planting always welcome – please contact Brian on 07926 151 142 if you can help.
Members may have come across a campaign to have Croydon run by an elected Executive Mayor; more can be found at http://democ.org.uk.
The Executive Committee of SPRA has agreed that although the Committee may be divided on this issue, Association members should be given the opportunity to visit the campaign website so that they can make an informed decision.
The monthly list of planning applications in our area, as worked on by SPRA’s planning sub-committee, includes
Planning applications
are reviewed as they arise from Croydon Local Planning Authority. SPRA planning sub-committee will highlight to
SPRA Executive Committee any proposals that are deemed detrimental to our
neighbourhood. In advance of going to
print for SPAN magazine, residents can access the most up to date planning
information from the sub-committee on the SPRA web site link springparkra.co.uk
The Council guidelines
state that you have until the consultation deadline to make a comment (object,
support or be neutral) and if you do not comment within that period the Council
will assume that you do not wish to comment.
However, even if the publicity period has expired (a notice posted at or
near the site or letters sent to
adjacent occupiers; details on the Planning website or for certain projects an
entry in the local Guardian newspaper) it may not be too late to comment. You must comment in writing and you can do
this by letter, email or via the website, see the links below. In all cases quote the property address and
if possible the planning reference number.
The ‘Validated’ date is the date that the Council has checked that the initial
application has been submitted in the correct manner, however, be aware that applications
are sometimes withdrawn by the applicant between submission of our data to the
printers and the Council’s decision deadline.
It is worth always checking the Planning website or phoning the Council for
the most up to date status of the application you may be interested in.
We can report the following planning applications in the
preceding month to 1 February 2020.
25 Temple Avenue Croydon CR0 8QE
Ref. No: 19/04528/LP – Hip to gable roof alteration to incorporate
rear dormer and front roof lights
Validated: Mon 23 Sep 2019
63 Oak Avenue Croydon CR0 8EP
Ref. No: 19/04525/HSE – Alterations, erection of a two
storey side extension and a single storey rear extension
Validated: Mon
30 Sep 2019
83 Oak
Avenue Croydon CR0 8EQ
Ref. No: 19/04978/HSE – Erection of single storey rear
extension and patio area/steps.
Validated: Mon 21 Oct 2019
43 Devonshire Way Croydon CR0 8BU
Ref. No: 19/04891/HSE – Erection of a single-storey rear
extension with projecting skylight.
Validated: Tue 15 Oct 2019
43 Devonshire Way Croydon CR0 8BU
Ref. No: 19/04890/LP – Rear dormer with Juliet balcony
and 2x front roof lights to allow for a loft conversion.
Validated: Tue 15 Oct 2019
38 Sandpits Road Croydon CR0 5HG
Ref. No: 19/04844/FUL – Alterations, erection of a part
single storey rear extension, part two storey rear extension and installation
of a new window within the side elevation.
Validated: Mon 14 Oct 2019
209 Devonshire Way Croydon CR0 8BZ
Ref. No: 19/04808/HSE – Alterations, erection of a single
storey rear extension.
Validated: Fri 11 Oct 2019
Tesco Express Filling Station 564-566 Wickham Road
Croydon CR0 8DN
Ref. No: 19/04364/ADV – Installation and replacement of
various illuminated signs.
Validated: Mon 21 Oct 2019
Updates on previous applications objected to by
SPRA
580-582 Wickham Road Croydon CR0 8DN
19/02319/FUL – Erection of single storey front restaurant
extension along with outdoor seating area with retractable canopy
Validated: 4 July 219
Decision: Permission Refused Fri 23 Aug 2019
Appeal Submitted.
and
18/02020/FUL – Erection of a single storey front glass
facade extension (Retrospective).
Decision: Permission Refused Thu 28 Jun 2018
Appeal Decision :
Dismissed appeal 1 April 2019
We still await the outcome of the second appeal and will
update in due course. SPRA objected to
these applications and are pleased that Croydon Local Planning Authority
refused both applications. The appeal
against the retrospective application was dismissed. We have been informed that the Croydon Local
Planning Authority enforcement officer issued an instruction to remove this
illegal development and, if not heeded, the owners would be issued with a Court
Order. However, we note on the planning
portal that an appeal has now been submitted on the canopy application. If refused we expect enforcement action by
the LPA about which we will report.
Former Shirley Garden Centre 60 Wickham Road Croydon
CR0 8BA (Shirley North ward)
19/01977/FUL – Demolition of existing buildings to the
rear of the site (A1) and construction of a part 1 and part 2 storey building,
change of use of part of the ground floor commercial space (A1) to form a
mixture of A1 and B1. Associated car parking, boundary treatment, cycle and
refuse stores, landscaping and ancillary works.
Decision approved to allow change of use to a specialist
Travel Agents.
The Inspector’s report on Croydon’s Borough Planning document included the comment that he had not formally recognised various green spaces as needing protection from develoment because the Council had not shown evidence of the needfor such protection.
The Council accordingly sought evidence from members of the public and SPRA has responded fully in respect of the vulnerable green spaces within our Association’s area.
These can be read through the following link (thanks are due to the team who put these responses together and to those who made these links available).
Members are reminded that it is responses such as these which are so valuable a benefit for your subsciption and that SPAN – one of the best residents’ association magazines in the country – is another part. You don’t merely pay your sub to get SPAN, you also get the volunteers’ services behind responses such as those above.
