East India heritage protected by conservation move

Concerned at the continuing threat to the unique local character of Victorian properties on the site once occupied by the East India Company training barracks in Addiscombe, the council has formally designated the six parallel roads as the East India Estate Conservation Area.

This legally enforceable planning procedure will afford a higher level of protection for properties originally laid out in the late 19th century. The safeguarding means that special consent will be required by anyone intending to demolish any buildings in Clyde, Canning, Elgin, Havelock, Outram and Ashburton Roads. It will also give the council greater control over the form of any development proposed in the area.

Said cabinet member for planning, Councillor Chris Wright: "The piecemeal changes over recent decades is cumulatively threatening the area's unique character. The risk of losing something precious has become so great that we have brought forward the designation before completing a comprehensive review of the borough's conservation areas and local areas of special character. This move will help preserve and enhance the remaining heritage associated with the East India estate. I believe it will also be popular with many residents who can now be reassured that the historic nature of their surroundings is no longer endangered."

Among the undesirable development the council expects to prevent in future will be developing blocks of flats through combining individual plots and demolishing original homes, and stopping front and rear gardens from being paved over for parking.

The latest designation means Croydon now has 13 conservation areas in the borough, providing protection for thousands of properties.

Council and democracy