A dozen garages in Upper Norwood have been earmarked for redevelopment by the Croydon Council’s property developer. 

Shelagh and Hamo Grebovich have lived in Arkell Grove for 28 years.

And for the past 20 years, the couple have rented two garages in the cul-de-sac from the council.

On Thursday, (July 12) Mrs Grebovich got a letter from the council telling her that the site had been earmarked as a potential site for redevelopment by council-owned developer Brick by Brick.

“To be perfectly honest, it has just set my blood boiling,” said Mrs Grebovich.

“I just thought ‘why should they be able to do this to people?’

“We already have parking as a premium here. But they are not really interested in where we park and what we do.”

The couple currently spends £15.58 a week per garage and Mrs Grebovich estimates they have spent about £40,000 in the past two decades.

Mr Grebovich, a cab driver, parks his taxi in one garage. In the other one is a car his wife bought him three years ago.

Mrs Grebovich parks her car on the street, as does her son who lives at home.

The pharmacy assistant is concerned that if the garages were converted into housing, there would not be anywhere for her and her existing neighbours to park.

She added: “Last year, I wrote to the council and said they are looking a bit shabby and leaking, can they come and take a look at them.

“They said no and I think it was because they had this plan.

“Bells really rang in April as we normally get a letter saying they are putting rent up but we did not get one this year.”

Mrs Grebovich said since then she, along with a neighbour, had seen people out at the garages and in road surveying the area.

But she did not get any answers until the letter from Brick by Brick arrived last week.

She emailed Norbury Park ward councillor Sherwan Chowdhury who told her there would be consultation on the site but Mrs Grebovich said she has not heard when and where this will be.

“It would just be chaos – there would be no parking for anybody I am not even sure how they are thinking of letting emergency services through the road.

“We are normal hard working people trying to obey the law ad trying to bring our children up right.

“I find it all a bit unfair and underhand – I feel heartbroken.”

Managing director of Brick by Brick Colm Lacey said: “Brick by Brick is exploring the potential to develop a small site on Arkell Grove, and is going door-to-door this week to invite local residents to a public engagement event where they can view and discuss the proposals.

"This will take place on Wednesday (July 25) from 4 to 8pm at Downsview Methodist Church in Waddington Way, Upper Norwood."