Conservative MP Gavin Barwell has been accused of whipping up "unnecessary anxiety and people's fears" over plans to build hundreds of new homes in Shirley.

The Labour council is considering plans to develop five patches of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) around Shirley Oaks Village into housing, including areas on both sides of Shirley Oaks Road, as part of its borough-wide 'local plan’.

The proposals also signal a desire for "significanly larger" development in the area, including the building of "medium-rise blocks".

Two potential locations for a permanent travellers site of up to 25 pitches in nearby south Croydon are also included.

Since going out to public consultation at the end of last year, the local plan has come under fire from Shirley residents groups and Conservatives, who claim the development would "completely change the character" of the area.

The Shirley land's MOL status gives it similar protections from development as the Green Belt.

But the council wants to "de-designate" the land, arguing it does not fit any of the requirements for MOL, which are:

  • land that contributes to the physical structure of London
  • land with open-air facilities that are serve a significant part of London
  • land that is historically notable or significant
  • land that forms part of a Green Chain

Croydon Council leader Tony Newman said that a letter to residents from Mr Barwell had misrepresented the potential effects of the proposals.

He claimed any future housing development in Shirley would would be "sympathetic" to the area, adding that historical over-development in north Croydon had forced the council to look elsewhere to meet rising demand.

He said: "A lot of unnecessary anxiety and people's fears by the MP for the area.

"There is a huge demand for housing in Croydon, [and] we do have to look at ensuring that in terms of addressing the housing need of the whole borough fairly, we do share where the homes are built....you can't freeze things in time and never build."

Mr Barwell said: "If he went there and met voters, he would find there is overwhelming opposition in the area. It would represent a significant change to the character of Shirley.

"There is a huge need for new housing in Croydon, but they haven't shared it out. The only part of the borough they're proposing to do this is Shirley.

"It's a pile of nonsense. That one area has been singled out with no explanation. Nothing has changed about that land."

Under the proposals, up to 107 homes would be built on land next to Poppy Lane, while a further 80 to 215 would go east of Shirley Oaks Road, to the rear of Beech House and Ash House.

Between 88 and 236 homes would be built on land west of Shirley Oaks Road. Further homes are planned for the old Stroud Green pumping station and behind Honeysuckle Gardens.

The plan also identifies two potential locations near Lloyd Park - Coombes Farm and Coombe Lodge Nursery - to build a permanent travellers site of up to 25 pitches.

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition against the plans, forcing the council to include the issue on the agenda for its next full meeting later this month.

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