NORBURY 2019

A discussion paper

Introduction

Norbury has and will continue to experience changes some of which are beneficial and others which many residents consider are detrimental. This discussion paper has been drafted to review what is known about the local residents, and the social, economic, housing, development, and transport issues affecting Norbury in spring 2019, and the issues that have been dealt with in the last five years by the Residents Associations, Councillors, and other local organisations. During the cut and thrust of activities it is easy to forget what has happened. As new residents become involved they may find it helpful to know that background. Similarly it important that Council officers who are new to the area have that knowledge and understanding.

This discussion paper seeks to analyse the characteristics and changes that have been happening in the two wards, and the issues that have been and continue to be dealt with. It draws on statistical material mainly on the Croydon Observatory website and in Council reports. A section on Norbury Park is being finalised.

As it is a draft comments are welcome as to any factual inaccuracies, and any information and analysis that should be added. At the moment this paper is not for publication.

Sean Creighton

Member, Norbury Village Residents Association Member Norbury Planning & Transport Group Chair, Norbury Community Land Trust Editor, Norbury Watch blog site [email protected] 020 8764 4301 June 2019 with updates July

Contents

Section

1 Norbury and its Issues 2 Background 3 Housing 4 Growth and Intensification in Norbury 5 Norbury in the Local Plan 6 Norbury Transport issues and the Railway Station 7 Norbury’s Community and Voluntary Organisations 8 Council action and emerging policy in Norbury 9 Why Pollards Hill needs special protection 10 Hermitage Lane area 11 Norbury’s Local History & Heritage 12 Street cleaning, litter, fly-tipping and waste collection 13 Crime, Street Drinking and Anti-Social Behaviour Appendix: Census 2011 & Other Statistics

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SECTION 1. NORBURY AND ITS ISSUES

1.1 Norbury comprises two electoral wards: Norbury & Pollards Hill and Norbury Park. Every ward has a different history of development, related to such factors as whether they developed as mainly residential, mixed-residential/employment, or mainly employment; and whether they grew out of a historic village or are a major district or town centre. Their characteristics are also shaped by the extent to which they are served by public transport, especially whether or not they have or are within easy access of a railway station.

1.2 The Norbury High St section of London Rd runs south of the Streatham border in the Borough of Lambeth along the London Rd towards Croydon Town. It forms a major route mainly through Norbury and past the Pollards Hill area. Three minor routes are Green Lane, Norbury Avenue and Norbury Crescent.

1.3 Norbury Park ward goes up to Beulah Hill and round on to Crown Lane. It includes Norbury Grove. It lacks public transport links from London Rd. It can be conceived of as two un- connected sections: the disconnected section being the area from Green Lane to Beulah Hill and Crown Lane. This area has a more suburban character to it. It is likely that residents in this area may see a more natural link to parts of Norwood both in Croydon and Lambeth.

1.4 The ward was formed from the former part of Norbury Ward by the inclusion of streets from the former Upper Norwood War, including: Downview Rd, Kensington Ave, Virginia Rd, and St. Oswald’s Rd. Part of this area was built as a Council estate. It includes Biggin Hill Wood.

1.5 The ward only has one residents’ association, Norbury Park from the railway bridge to the Lambeth border and from the railway line to Covington Way. Both sides of London Rd towards Galpins Rd has four associations: Norbury Green, Norbury Park, Norbury Village, Pollards Hill and Scots Estate.

Moving Forward

1.6 The challenge for the newly formed Council Norbury Regeneration Steering Group and the reformed Love Norbury Partnership is to decide what are:

 the issues

 the priorities for discussion, solutions, to agree what action needs to happen

 how to ensure that action is taken

Issues

1.7 The main issues for both ward areas include:

 Budget for London Rd

 Railway Station and surrounding area improvement inc. mural under Bridge (Network Rail)

 Retention of Co-op store

 Buses connecting Crown Lane/Beulah Hill and London Rd

 Parks improvements including the opening up of Norbury Brook in Norbury Park

 Improved Council understanding of the effect of planning approvals 1-2

 More comprehensive view of planning applications by Council than just meeting housing target

 Extension of landlord licensing scheme from October 2020

 Article 4 Direction to control houses in multiple occupation not requiring formal HMO registration

 Reinstallation of refuse bins along London Rd

 Improved signage to Granville Gardens car park (check)

 Traffic calming measures in 20mph streets

 Protection of employment buildings

1.8 The main issues for Norbury & Pollards Hill ward include:

 Trees and planters in London Rd Redevelopment of Norbury Trading Estate

 Community room and upstairs hall in Library

 Flooding and surface water problems in Pollards Hill

 Prosecution of shisha cafes for illegal smoking inside premises

1.9 The main issues for Norbury Park Ward include:

 Analysis of the parts added in from the former Upper Norwood Ward Norbury Park Ward

 Northborough Local Centre improvement

 Effect of developments in area both sides of the Borough boundary in the Hermitage Rd area

 The formation of residents associations in unorganised sections of the ward, especially on the Council estate

1.10 The nature of and issues of the new section of Norbury Park ward previously in the former Upper Norwood Ward need to be understood by the two Norbury & Polllards Hill Councillors and the representatives of the four residents’ associations along London Rd. The nature of and issues of Norbury & Pollards Hill ward need to be understood by the two Norbury Park Councillors. They need to consider how they can become effective advocates for their ward on the Steering Group, and how to encourage the formation of residents associations in the Ward.

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