London Borough of Croydon planners have praised the scheme to deliver 12 homes as an example of best practice. 

LSI Architects’ proposals have achieved full planning permission to remove an existing group of derelict garages and replace them with a series of garden mews houses while simultaneously extending a mansion block at 196 Sydenham Road, South London.

The scheme for independent family-run developers Prime Homes, delivers a total of twelve homes on the site - four new build mews houses and refurbishment & roof extension of existing buildings, increasing their total from seven to eight. 

The designs have been praised by the planners as an example of best practice in the development of a residential infill site. In line with Croydon guidance for densification and intensification of ‘backlands’ sites, the scheme provides a tailored response to address specific site and community requirements. 

The scheme retains the existing mansion building and provides a bespoke new development at the rear of the site. The accommodation will be submerged to ‘covertly’ increase the residential units without impacting the neighbours’ outlook and light. 

Living spaces for each house centre are arranged around a large central lightwell so all rooms benefit from natural light and a view of the sky with minimised overlooking. Sedum roofs to the mews houses will improve the outlook from the mansion building and neighbouring buildings and will add much needed greenery and colour to the site. Dean Gibson, North Area Planning Team, Development & Environment Department at Croydon Council:

“LSI Architects scheme at 196 Sydenham Road was highly regarded by Croydon’s Planning Team and the Chair of the Planning Committee. In particular, the new mews houses in the rear of the site epitomises our ambition to optimise the potential of existing residential land through original, innovative and high quality sustainable design. LSI are commended for developing a scheme that promotes such positive living spaces.”  Peter Courtney, Director at LSI Architects:

“A collaborative attitude to planning engagement on the Sydenham Road scheme has resulted in a sensitive, well-rounded design solution to enhance the community of which it will become part of.

If underused garage sites such as this are to be utilised effectively to help meet the demand for new housing, we all need to recognise the common benefit and put individual isolated concerns to one side. The default reaction from neighbours, for example, should not be an automatic no. There is a real need for more constructive engagement and consultation, combined with a more streamlined, consistent and simplified approach to planning engagement.”