Last month, KJC Architects applied to Croydon Council to convert Glade Fisheries on 25-29 Taunton Lane in Coulsdon into a single dwelling.
The developers have applied through the General Permitted Development Order, which allows certain commercial properties to be converted into homes without full planning permission.
The site is on the corner of Taunton Lane and The Glade, in a mainly residential area of Old Coulsdon.
It’s a two-storey building with the fish and chip shop on the ground floor and a flat above.
The plan is to create an apartment on the ground floor, with a shared entrance for both flats, and a secure bike and bin store at the back.
The first floor flat will get a safer entrance, as it’s currently accessed through the shop.
No changes will be made to the roof, but some windows will be adjusted to suit residential use better.
The area is mostly residential, with a few commercial buildings, and features a mix of two-storey houses along both Taunton Lane and The Glade.
If this plan is approved, the flat will have two bedrooms, capable of housing three people.
The site itself has a PTAL 1b rating, meaning it has very poor access to public transport.
PTAL (Public Transport Accessibility Level) is a system used by TfL (Transport for London) to measure how easily a location can be accessed by public transport, with 1 being the least accessible and 6 being the most.
A 1b rating indicates limited options for getting around by bus, train, or other public transport, making the area less connected for residents who rely on these services.
However, the developers did defend the low rating, saying: “Although the site has a poor PTAL rating, it is within a 20-minute bus journey to Coulsdon South Train Station, Coulsdon Town Train Station, Reedham Train Station and Purley Train Station.
“Cycle storage for 4 cycles plus an accessible space is provided within the site to improve residents access to the local area without the reliance on cars.”
In their planning statement, the developers said that “there are no reasons why prior approval cannot be granted” as they have met all the requirements.
However, many residents aren’t happy.
122 residents have objected to the application and there are currently no supporters.
Residents had until the end of March to submit their views and can no longer do so.
Currently, the specific objections cannot be read by anyone, but this may change over the next few weeks.
Croydon Council will decide whether to approve or reject the application.
