By lobbying the Council, our Chair, Councillor Paul Scott, has secured some important changes to Croydon’s local planning policies. The shopping parades near the Leisure Centre are to be given protected status, and that area is being recognised as a ‘Neighbourhood Centre’. The shops at the South Norwood town centre end of the road are also to be protected and will be recognised as being an important part of the ‘District Centre’. Parts of Portland Road that are not in the Conservation Area that covers the town centre will be designated as ‘Heritage Areas’. Whilst there will be some new housing built in the area to help respond to the housing crisis affecting the whole of London, South Norwood has been acknowledged as only being able to accommodate a very modest number of new homes. All being well, these will be approved by the end of 2017.

Starting in 2017 ‘The Dip’ or Market Parade area of Portland Road will be transformed by the Council with new street trees and seating, and smart new paving. Hopefully this will support the existing and new businesses in the local area by encouraging the community to spend more time and of course more money there! At the top end of Portland Road, the Council has also supported the setting up of three new pop-up shops in previously empty units.  All three have an arts based focus to bring a fresh, new feel to the area. Hopefully they will encourage other businesses into the area too. PPR has successfully bid for funding and support to develop a ‘Community Economic Development Plan’. This will help us to create a proper plan to help bring back to life more of the shops and businesses in the local area.