PA Housing received full planning consent from Croydon Council in 2021 to deliver affordable homes on Bensham Grove.
Husband and wife Alex Iacobet and Martina Radosovska Iacobet, who purchased their home in 2019, have raised concerns over the construction, reporting significant noise and vibrations from demolition works.
Martina told Your Local Guardian: “The building has two issues.
“One is affecting us severely, and the other one is for the community.
“For us, it’s a three-storey block of flats with the main windows facing us from a very clear, short distance.”
The couple claimed that previous applications with a very similar shape and size were rejected because they would cause unacceptable harm to neighbours, and that the scheme was approved in spite of that.
Croydon Council rejected the appeal lodged by PA Housing in 2019, concluding that the block would cause significant harm to the privacy and living conditions of the occupants of Number 5.
The couple highlighted that the block is angled toward their property, bringing the three-storey wall to just over five metres from their house, with balconies as close as 4.4 metres.
They expressed concerns over the lack of accurate dimensions on the official plans.
Alex and Martina also raised privacy concerns, noting that habitable rooms, including their master bedroom and kitchen, will face the new development.
Martina added: “This new build will be looking in oblique views into our master bedroom and kitchen, which we use for dining.
“All three levels can see into our home from a close distance.
“When we come home and when we leave home, we’ll be completely overlooked with the overpowering, huge building next to us.”
Martina said the construction itself has caused additional stress, with vibration from demolition affecting their property, adding: “They started demolitions and basically very loud works, which is actually shaking our house and vibrating it.
“They demolish the warehouse with a concrete structure, and it’s rattling the whole house.”
Alex said that he and Martina had reported concerns to the council but claim that they have yet to receive a firm response.
“We submitted a complaint, and we are yet to hear back.
“Our house already has some cracks in the walls from the work.
“We really don’t know where to turn,” he said.
Alex and Martina also noted the procedural steps involved, explaining that advice they received at the time of the planning approval limited their options.
They claimed that they received a vague response when they complained about the approval of the first application.
PA Housing said it is following the approved planning process.
Suzannah Taylor, Executive Director of Development, said: “Our development at Bensham Grove received full planning consent from Croydon Council in 2021.
“During the planning process, a consultation exercise with local residents was completed by the Local Planning Authority, and responses given were considered as part of their approval of the application.
“We’ve now begun construction, in line with that planning approval, and are pleased to be delivering 17 much-needed, affordable homes in Croydon for people in need.
“While we know there will always be some disruption during any construction project, we’re working with a contractor who is part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and will always aim to keep disruption to a minimum.”
A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “We believe we have been clear and fair in our responses to this planning application.
“Planning permission for the redevelopment of 52 Bensham Grove was granted in May 2025 following amendments to a scheme originally approved in 2019.
“We understand that residents have strong views about this development.
“The Council is committed to ensuring that all planning applications are determined in line with adopted policies and statutory processes, with opportunities for residents to comment at every stage.
“Concerns raised by residents about the handling of the planning decision, communication with the Council, and the publication of the decision notice have been formally investigated under the Council’s complaints procedure and concluded that the Council had acted appropriately in its handling of the application.
“The Stage 1 response also confirmed that the decision was correctly issued and published on 14 May 2025 in accordance with statutory requirements.
“Residents who remain dissatisfied with the outcome have been advised by letter of the next stage in the Council’s complaints procedure should they wish to take the matter further.”
