Croydon Council's Planning Sub-Committee has granted permission for the demolition of an existing garage and the erection of a detached bungalow with accommodation in the roof space at 47 Graham Road, Purley.
The decision, made on Thursday, 3 September 2026, follows a previous refusal for a larger, two-storey dwelling on the same site. The previous proposal was refused due to concerns regarding siting, scale, massing, and height, which were considered to result in an overly cramped and prominent backland development that would be out of keeping with the visual appearance of the street scene and character of the area.
Additional reasons for refusal included detrimental impact on host dwelling amenities, highway safety and access issues, inadequate refuse and bulky waste facilities, fire safety concerns, flood risk, and potential overdevelopment.
Councillors noted that the revised scheme significantly reduces the scale and massing of the proposed dwelling, making it more subservient to the host property and better integrated into the surrounding area. The new bungalow will be a two-bedroom, four-person property intended for private sale, meeting the Nationally Described Space Standards.
The revised plans address previous concerns regarding siting, scale, massing, and height, ensuring the development does not appear overly cramped or prominent. The dwelling has been repositioned and reduced in width, height, scale, and massing compared to the refused scheme.
Concerns regarding overlooking and privacy for neighbouring properties, including 49 Graham Road, were addressed by the repositioning of the bungalow, its reduced height, and the provision of boundary treatments. Councillors also considered the impact on neighbouring amenity, access, parking, and refuse facilities, concluding these aspects are acceptable, subject to conditions.
Despite the revised plans, 24 out of 25 neighbour representations were objecting to the application, indicating that outstanding concerns may remain, though specific details of these are not explicitly stated.
The proposal includes associated parking, with three spaces provided – two for the existing host dwelling and one for the new bungalow. Cycle and refuse storage facilities will also be incorporated into the site.
Councillor Helen Redfern, vice-chair of the committee, commented that every effort has been made to resolve the issues that were reasons for refusal. And the new home appears to now be subservient.
Councillor Mark Johnson added, I can't see any reason at the moment to turn down this application, so I'll probably be voting for it.
The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions, including those relating to the submission of a Construction Logistics Plan (CLP), drainage details, and landscaping plans. The CLP is a pre-commencement condition requiring detailed arrangements for construction traffic management, delivery scheduling, contractor parking, wheel washing, site compound locations, routing, and a condition survey of the surrounding highway network. Drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) details must also be submitted pre-commencement. Prior to above-ground works, details of hard and soft landscaping, including levels, must be submitted, and a Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy is also secured by condition.
The existing garage at 47 Graham Road is to be demolished as part of the approved development.
Further details regarding the planning application can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting on 3 September 2026.
