Kenley residents have voiced strong objections to a proposed development of seven houses on Hawkhirst Road, citing concerns over character, amenity and traffic. Residents are also concerned about the loss of green space and the impact on wildlife.

The Croydon Council Planning Committee met on 25 September 2025, to consider the application, submitted by Mr Jack Carvall of Carvall Homes, which seeks to demolish an existing house and garages at Hampton, Hawkhirst Road, and erect seven dwellings with associated parking and landscaping.

According to the Planning Committee Agenda, a total of 46 objections to the proposal were received from local residents, and Chris Philp MP has also objected to the proposal. Mr Philp cited overdevelopment, the development being out of character with the local context, the poor relationship between houses 6 & 7, overlooking and loss of privacy for neighbouring properties, a lack of on-site parking, unacceptable loss of trees as his reasons for objecting to the proposal.

Key concerns raised by residents include:

  • Character and Design: Residents feel the development is out of keeping with the area and represents an overdevelopment of the site.
  • Neighbouring Amenity: Concerns have been raised about the impact on local residents due to overlooking, loss of privacy, noise, and disturbance.
  • Parking and Highways: Residents believe there is insufficient on-site parking, which will cause parking issues on the street and increase traffic congestion. The proposal includes seven parking spaces, while the council's policy requirement is 11.
  • Trees and Ecology: Concerns have been raised about the loss of mature trees, including protected trees, and the impact on wildlife.
  • Flood Risk: Residents are worried about an increase in flood risk due to excessive hardstanding.

Despite the objections, the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport is recommending that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure a financial contribution of £10,500 towards sustainable travel improvements. The specific sustainable travel improvements for the Hawkhirst Road development are not detailed in the meeting information.

The Public Reports Pack notes that the council's tree officer has raised no objection to the removal of three trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order, as they are of poor quality. The Arboricultural Method Statement lists 23 individual trees, 3 tree groups and 2 hedges associated with the site. Four individual trees, one tree group and two hedges are proposed to be removed to facilitate the development. This includes three trees subject to Tree Preservation order: T21 Yew, T22 Norway maple and T23 larch. Whilst they are protected the tree survey has concluded that these trees are of poor quality and the Council's tree officer has raised no objection to their removal.

The Planning Committee will consider the application and the objections before making a decision on whether to grant planning permission.

The Planning Committee is comprised of: Councillor Michael Neal (Chair), Councillor Clive Fraser (Vice-Chair), Councillors Lara Fish (Deputy Cabinet Member for Customer Service), Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Councillor Mohammed Islam (Deputy Civic Mayor), Councillor Mark Johnson, Councillor Humayun Kabir, Councillor Helen Redfern, Councillor Appu Srinivasan and Councillor Nikhil Sherine Thampi. Liam Semugabi is also in attendance.