THE council has refused unconventional plans to redevelop garages in to a block of three storey houses after the developer refused to take on board feedback about the scheme.

Omo Ayoade submitted the application to replace 10 garages which sit at the rear of 42-50 Chipstead Avenue and border homes on Quadrant Road, with four detached houses built over two and three-storeys.

The plans courted controversy because of the design by architects Office S&M but also on the grounds of overdevelopment, the negative impact on neighbouring properties. 

Mr Ayoade, already had planning permission to demolish two large houses at 30-32 also on Chipstead Avenue and replace with eight flats using the same unusual architectural design process.

He is now auctioning off these houses with the planning permission in place at for offers in excess of £800,000.

The latest application was referred to the Planning Committee because it received 47 objections. Local councillors and MP Steve Reed also backed the residents campaign.

Labour councillors who made up the majority of the planning committee favoured the ‘innovative, creative, and modern interpretation’ of the scheme they deferred the application in May to address the distribution of floorspace and the necessity for a third floor feeling it would work better as a terrace and provide a ‘more sensitive relationship’ with neighbouring properties.

However, the developer refused to take on board the committee’s feedback, and the application was refused on the grounds of : “The third storey elements of the scheme would result in loss of outlook and sense of enclosure to surrounding residential occupiers by reason of its siting, layout, massing and height.”

*A DEVELOPER is applying to create homes and additional retail space on the Heath High Street.

Caridon Developments Ltd wants to build an extension and make alterations to two existing shops at 73-77 which are currently occupied by the African Market and Kim Nail Salon.

The plans set out additional retail space at ground floor level with three flats above together with new communal amenity space, cycle storage, and refuse storage.