CR-Oct2009

It is with a sense of relief I have to report that the last six months have been reasonably quiet in Riddlesdown. However, as you can read below, one item, Mitchley Woods, continues to dominate Association business. And, almost as we were going to print, the land mentioned in the first article below came up for sale. This could be a significant event, hence ‘we held the front page’ to give our current view of what is happening.

FOR SALE: MITCHLEY AVENUE AND MITCHLEY HILL LAND

The Association has learnt that Taylor Wimpey (formerly Laings) have put their substantial land holding of 73 acres in Riddlesdown up for sale. Currently, the majority of this land, around 50 acres, is farmland, which is let to a local farmer. One plot is the 26-acre field off Mitchley Hill/Rectory Park and the other plot is the 24-acre field off Mitchley Avenue,

There are three smaller plots, including the unmade section of Dunmail Drive and land off it, ranging from two to 12 acres, and another plot on the west side of Honister Heights, of 4.7 acres. Taylor Wimpey are looking for a price in excess of £535,000 for all the plots. They are prepared to sell them as a whole, or alternatively as six lots. The only good news is that all the land is within the Metropolitan Green Belt and the farmland is classified as Grade 3 agricultural land according to the MAFF (the former agriculture ministry – now DEFRA) classifications.

We also understand that the freehold of the farmland is subject to a Farm Business Tenancy until 2013. The sale is also subject to an uplift provision whereby 25% of any uplift in the value of the site, arising from the granting of planning permission for any non-agricultural uses, will be payable to the vendor. This uplift provision will apply for a period of 80 years and will hopefully deter any potential speculators who might be hoping for a quick profit.

With this news breaking only days before printing the Recorder, we cannot at this stage report more details. However we are opening discussions with other interested parties, including local councillors, Croydon Council, Corporation of London, Riddlesdown School, and local land leaseholders, to consider the options.

My final thought would be that, if one of the largest house builders in the UK is selling the land, there is little chance of it being developed for housing in the immediate future. We shall report any further developments via our web site and notice boards.

MITCHLEY WOODS

In the last edition of the Recorder, I mentioned that a four-acre plot of woodland had recently come back on the market and, while still over-priced, was beginning to approach a more sensible valuation.

The Association took advice on current woodland valuations and subsequently made a bid for the plot. Unfortunately, while our bid was above what was considered a reasonable price for the land, it was rejected. Shortly after this the land was once again removed from the market.

We are currently investigating if the plot has been sold to a new owner.

With the field adjacent to Mitchley Hill now divided into 32 small plots and sold to individual owners, and Mitchley Woods also divided and owned by various owners, the question of who owns what is complex.

The Association, conscious of the need to fully understand the situation, took the decision to commission a small low cost land survey of the area. This is to ensure we are fully aware of all the land ownership details, including any relationships the plots might have with footpaths and rights of way.

Having said this, it is worth pointing out that all the land remains firmly in the green belt and as such is protected from certain types of development.

In addition, a tree preservation order (TPO) has been issued on the whole of Mitchley Woods and an Article 4 has been served on the front field. This is particularly useful in safeguarding the visual amenity of a green belt site by removing any entitlement to undertake development that would ordinarily not require planning permission.

We are hopeful that knowing the details of all the land owners will help us in our efforts to ensure the fences around the field remain secure and in good condition. We have already approached Croydon for their help in this.

Since our formation in 1937, the Association has on many occasions, needed to defend the open and pleasant aspect of Riddlesdown and with your help we will continue to do so.

‘IMAGINE CROYDON’

CROYDON’S NEW CORE STRATEGY by Brian Longman and Phil Thomas

Croydon Council is currently reviewing its planning requirements for the next 20 years. The strategy is intended to ensure that there are enough homes, shops, jobs, schools, health, and leisure and recreation facilities, but also outlines how the Council intends to protect the environment. About one-third of Croydon’s area is Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land and with many areas, like Mitchley Woods, of high visual quality, it is essential that your views are considered as part of this process.

The consultation document called ‘Imagine Croydon’ asks a series of questions on a broad range of issues from transport to Green Belt.

On the Green Belt, the report makes several comments, one being that the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land is safeguarded for the future, but with appropriate uses that support measures to tackle the issues

associated with climate change and growth.

The Council is currently looking to the public for any comments on the document. Copies can be obtained from www.croydon.gov.uk/corestrategy or by telephoning 020 8407 1385. All comments should be made to the Council before the end of September 2009. This may be just after you receive this copy of the Recorder but it doesn’t matter if you miss this deadline. The report sets out Croydon’s initial thinking and is intended to get the debate going. Following the initial consultation, a second report will be produced around February for a second public consultation before final publication. Don’t miss your chance to have your say. The RRA itself will be responding to the document .

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE PANEL

Many of you by now will have seen the headline that homeowners in Croydon are among the most likely to be burgled in Britain. Our Neighbourhood Police Panel, introduced in 2006, meets four times each year to represent the views of local residents on local policing issues.

Burglaries have been and continue to be high on our list of priorities. At this point I think I need to praise the work of our local neighborhood police team who have been extremely proactive in their efforts to reduce the level of burglaries in our community.

Remember that many of the burglaries are via unlocked doors and open widows, so make sure you are locked up.

If you need to contact our local police team their number is 020 8721 2470 but remember that this number is not intended for emergencies (use 999).

RRA COMMITTEE

I am sure that you will all agree that we are extremely fortunate to have the services of Nick Bygrave on our committee. For the last 10 years, Nick has not only been our Treasurer and, for the last six, editor of the Riddlesdown Recorder but he also manages our extremely professional web site. It was therefore not a surprise when Nick at the last AGM, decided to step down from his role as Treasurer. The good news is that Nick has agreed to continue with his role as Editor of the Recorder and Administrator of the web site. On behalf of the Association, I would like to thank him for all his hard work and, judging by the number of positive comments I receive from residents, he produces a magazine that is both interesting and informative.

Well done, Nick.

The Association is pleased to announce that Bernard Munn, a recently joined member to the committee, was elected to the position of Association Honorary Treasurer. The committee welcomes new members; it is not hard work and if you are interested or would like more information please give me a ring.

RRA FUN DAY 2009

I think this year’s Fun Day was the biggest and most successful ever with close to 1000 people enjoying a picnic on the Downs and relaxing to the cool sounds of a great jazz band. There were donkey rides, Punch and Judy, swing boats, tractor rides, fun races and more. If you are not convinced, look at pages 22/23 and on our website for pictures of this year’s Fun Day. If you missed out this year, check the next Recorder for the 2010 date.