Croydon Council's Planning Committee has approved plans for a new six-storey hotel on Brighton Road in South Croydon, despite some local reservations.
The decision, made at a meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026, grants outline planning permission for the hotel building, which will include ancillary dining facilities and a basement. The committee considered the scale of the proposed development, with access, appearance, landscaping, and layout to be determined at a later stage.
Councillor Danielle Denton, a ward councillor, had expressed concerns about the hotel use, preferring residential development for the site. However, planning officers explained that hotel use is policy-compliant in town centres with good transport links. The rationale for approving a hotel over residential development, despite the ward councillor's preference, is based on policy compliance. The site is not allocated for residential use, and a previous planning permission for residential development on the site does not obligate the current application to be residential. A refusal solely based on a preference for alternative formal development would be difficult to sustain at appeal.
Despite some reservations regarding flood risk and the impact on the locally listed Swan and Sugar Loaf building, the committee resolved to grant outline planning permission. The scale of the hotel development is the same as a previously approved scheme (24/03390/OUT) and is considered acceptable in terms of its visual impact and its effect on the setting of the locally listed Swan and Sugar Loaf building. The inspector in a previous appeal decision (22/04995/OUT) concluded that the scale of the proposed building could be accommodated without causing harm to the setting of the adjacent locally listed building, noting that the separation and stepping down would visually distinguish the two buildings.
Conditions and a legal agreement will be put in place to address technical matters. These include significant flood risk mitigation measures. These measures stipulate no sleeping accommodation at ground or basement level, with ground floor finish levels set 300mm above natural ground level and basement thresholds 600mm above ground level. The development is expected to incorporate suitable Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs), and a detailed Flood Risk Assessment and Sustainable Drainage Strategy will be required and reviewed by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Conditions will also ensure sufficient foul- and surface-water network capacity is available, or any required reinforcement works have been completed, to avoid surcharge or flooding. Piling will be restricted without the LPA's assessment to avoid damage to the existing network. The LLFA has a holding objection pending further information on drainage, but officers advise these technical matters can be resolved by condition.
Beyond flood risk, other technical matters addressed through conditions and the legal agreement include transport, environmental, and employment considerations. The legal agreement will secure highway works, including the removal of redundant crossovers and the construction of new ones if required, along with resurfacing and remedying any damage to the carriageway. It will also secure permit-free development for commercial units and a Sustainable Transport Contribution (£100 per 500sq.m). Environmentally, a finalised energy statement and carbon offset financial contribution will be secured, alongside Be Seen monitoring clauses and an air quality contribution (£100 per 500sq.m). For employment and training, a Local Employment and Training Strategy (LETS) contribution for both the construction and operation phases will be secured. Monitoring fees and any other planning obligations deemed necessary will also be included.
Conditions will also cover the submission of a Construction Logistics Plan, contamination exploration and mitigation, a Fire Strategy, Air Quality Assessment, finalised SuDS strategy, foul and surface water capacity, details of plant/solar panels, noise limitations, a Delivery and Service Management Plan, landscaping details (including Urban Greening Factor), biodiversity enhancement measures, an energy assessment, Public Art, Secure by Design, cycle store details, waste storage details, a coordination strategy with surrounding uses, a basement impact assessment, piling methodology, external lighting details, privacy measures, details on dining/café facilities, restriction on sleeping accommodation in ground/basement, no takeaway provision, external amenity hours of use, and noise from plant and machinery.
Access, appearance, landscaping, and layout are reserved matters for future approval. While specific criteria are not detailed in the current outline permission report, the reserved matters stage will involve detailed assessment against relevant planning policies and guidance. This includes compliance with transport policies, highway safety, and accessibility standards for access. For appearance, high-quality design that respects and enhances local character, including the setting of the locally listed Swan and Sugar Loaf building and the local heritage area, will be assessed. Landscaping will focus on compliance with Urban Greening Factor targets and the provision of biodiversity enhancement measures. Layout will ensure acceptable living conditions for future and existing residents, including satisfactory standards of accommodation, daylight, sunlight, privacy, and outlook.
The outline planning permission is subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement. Once planning permission is granted, the reserved matters application must be submitted within three years, and the development must be commenced within two years of the reserved matters approval.
