Planning Report – February 2024

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Gladeside
  • Lorne Gardens
  • Oak Way
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Orchard Way
  • Round Grove and Wickham Road.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.

Shirley North Ward – Operation Zoedone

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South Area Basic Command Unit (BCU) officers target mobile phone robbers across Croydon and Sutton

A South Area BCU operation from 8 to 14 January, targeting offenders along the Purley and Wallington border of Sutton and Croydon, has resulted in 11 arrests in the robbery of mobile phones belonging to school students, zero reporting of further such offences in the area since the operation, and positive feedback from internal and external partners and the local community.


The operation was in response to an increase in mobile phone robberies since October 2023, where offenders particularly targeted students who travelled by bus to and from school.

Police became aware of the phone robberies not only from monitoring crime reports but also from listening to the local communities who had voiced their concerns and supplied invaluable information about the offences.

Using precision-based intelligence, officers researched historical robberies in the relevant wards and produced a detailed crime picture. They identified that the offences took place at about school travel times and in and around bus stops in the locations of Purley and Woodcote, Purley Oaks, South Wallington, South Beddington, and Roundshaw.

Intelligence also showed that offenders typically were males between 14 and 17 years of age, operating in teams of two to three members, wearing Balaclavas and surgical facemasks to hide their faces.

Officers also knew that some offenders used public transport to travel to and from robberies. The Safer Transport Team officers were able to provide specialist knowledge about bus-enabled crime. The operation was put into practice to coincide with students returning school after Christmas, as they would be likely to be in possession of new and desirable phones.

Croydon and Sutton Safer Neighbourhood Teams and South Area Safer Transport Team, joined forces under Operation Zoedone to tackle this crime.

The week of action was supported by Schools officers, Mounted Branch, Territorial Support Group, and the Dog Support Unit. Officers and policing resources were deployed around schools, town centres and transport hubs to deter and disrupt organised mobile phone robbers targeting students for their mobile phones.

Uniformed officers were supported by plain-clothes officers across the tasking area, and the South Area Robbery team were deployed to assist with any live robbery incidents.

Four males working together who robbed pupils of their phones on two occasions, were tracked on CCTV, caught and arrested; two other males were caught trying to hide from police and were found in possession of stolen mobile phone paraphernalia and arrested; and five males were identified and arrested due to extensive secondary investigation for previously reported offences.

Prolific offenders were served community protection notices to deter them from future offending.

Officers were deployed to hotspot areas and targeted several known suspects and cleared the area of further robberies through persistent high vis-patrolling of the hotspot robbery areas. Schools officers attended school assemblies to provide crime prevention advice, while uniformed officers spoke to students on how to keep themselves and their possessions safe.

South Area BCU will continue Operation Zoedone to deter and disrupt crime in the area through Community protection Warnings and enforcement and intervention when needed by the local Safer Neighbourhood and School officers.

Croydon Library Consultation – Proposed Closure of 4 Libraries

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Croydon Council is proposing to consult residents on changes to its library service that will make it easier for more people across the borough to enjoy books and activities. Proposals include longer opening hours including weekends, improved facilities in fewer library buildings, and more staff to provide a new outreach service.

A report to the council’s cabinet meeting next week details extensive research into the borough’s library service, following service reductions made since the council’s financial collapse in April 2020. The report can be found on the council website.

Since the changes were introduced, the council has been listening to residents and staff who have said that despite best efforts, the service model isn’t working – that it doesn’t provide the opening hours needed or enough of the services that residents want and need.

The cabinet report sets out the detailed research findings and proposed recommendations for a more sustainable library service. It proposes longer opening hours including weekends, with more events and services available to residents, by reducing the number of buildings and investing in well-used sites. No job losses are proposed, with the council intending to use the majority of the money saved from building costs to increase the number of library staff to provide the extended opening and outreach services. Cabinet will be asked for approval to start consultation on the proposals.

To make these improvements, four library buildings; Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley are proposed to be closed. This proposal is based on analysis of the buildings including visitor numbers, size and condition of the buildings, the size and needs of the communities they serve and running costs.

Six libraries (Central, Ashburton, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Selsdon and Coulsdon) are proposed to be open five to six days a week, including Saturdays, and will deliver an extensive offer of books, wifi, PCs, study spaces and events. These libraries have all proved to be well-used, accessible buildings that meet local needs. Future investment in these sites is recommended to improve the facilities and extend the opening times and services available.

Activist’s research found three areas — New Addington, Purley and South Norwood — need library services, but low visitor numbers suggest the current set-up isn’t working. The council is proposing to introduce community hubs in these areas, where a library would be available alongside other services such as family and adult education services and community partnerships.

Through the consultation, residents will be asked for their views and ideas for developing the offer in New Addington, Purley and South Norwood to help design how library services can be improved in these areas, to make them more accessible and better used by local people.

Other library services – such as the home library service and the extensive digital offer, including e-books and magazines, online learning and training resources – are set to continue and be improved as part of the future service.

A 10-week consultation is set to launch after cabinet and residents are encouraged to have their say on the proposals and share their ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the library service. Details will be available from Croydon libraries and on the council’s Get Involved website.

The council is keen to hear the views of those affected by the proposed library closures, including any impacts and alternative options to closing buildings and improving the service for residents. The consultation will also ask for ideas for future library outreach services and community venues that could be used to reach more people. Feedback received will help the council develop further recommendations which will go back to cabinet in May 2024.

The Spring Park Shirley Bowling Club

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The Spring Park Shirley Bowling Club at Shirley Church Recreation Ground is planning for the 2024 season and the future!

If one of your goals for 2024 is to be more active here is something for you to seriously think about …. Signing up to try Lawn Bowls at Spring Park Shirley Bowling Club.

“But that’s for old people!!” I hear you cry. And I’d reply “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”

This humble game, played May – Sept, is very capable of having a positive effect on your co-ordination, core strength and flexibility as well as your mental wellbeing.

Bowls is a sport for everybody – it takes seconds to learn, but a lifetime to master – as shown in…

THE DIARY OF A NEW BOWLER
“Day 1 – Visited the Spring Park Shirley Bowls Club today with my husband for a taster session. We were welcomed, assigned a coach each and after some basic coaching my bowl was stopping relatively near the Jack (the small white target). We stopped for tea and the other members came to chat with us. Just when I thought it was over a challenge was issued – I was to play against my husband. My bowls were nearer the Jack than when I started, but nowhere near in comparison to my husbands! He seemed to step forward and release the bowl like a swan nudging it’s offspring ahead in the water, the bowl glided across the green and came to rest much nearer the Jack than mine. There was much banter over dinner. This game is not as easy as it first appears.”

“1 Month in – Visiting a couple of times a week over the last month and receiving more coaching, my husband and I are hooked. My husband is now settled into his bowling stride. He makes the delivery of his bowl look effortless whilst my bowls continue to visit all areas of the rink I am playing on as well as those I am not. Despite the challenges, my teammates laugh with me and continue to offer never ending support. This game is addictive and so enjoyable, why did I not take it up earlier? Oh yes, I remember now, I thought it was just for old people – how wrong I was!”

“April 2023 (1 year later) – We’ve decided to enter a number of club competitions this year and are excited to challenge ourselves against some of the club’s top players. We’re also looking forward to joining some of the away days, visiting some coastal bowls clubs (Herne Bay and Eastbourne) and pitching our wits against their teams.”

Visit http://www.springparkshirleybowlingclub.co.uk/ to find out more about us and our programme of taster sessions starting on Sunday 5th May 2024!