Is Kenley looking at a population problem?

Steve O'Connell, ward councillor for Kenley, has expressed concern at the number of proposed housing applications submitted to the council's planning department.

The Conservative shadow cabinet member for crime reduction and public protection is worried that the high number of proposed developments could push Kenley's already overworked public services to breaking point.

Last month the Croydon Guardian reported how Kenley's only doctors surgery, The Moorings Practice, was battling an ever-increasing workload blamed on the area's growing population.

Coun O'Connell said: "The situation is very worrying.

"Kenley has seen an upsurge in residents in the last two to three years and it doesn't show any sign of letting up it can only get worse with the number of developments in the pipeline."

The Tory councillor insists that he is not against suitable developments for Kenley, but wants to make sure there is a comparative expansion in the level of public services.

"We are happy with appropriate developments for Kenley but the problem is there's no corresponding increase in the infrastructure, for example we still only have one doctors surgery.

"It's all very well the council agreeing to developments in Kenley but we need more public services.

"I think the council should take a more holistic approach, if developments are built in Kenley then they have to consider the effect on the environment, impact on the quality of life and investing in improving the infrastructure."

Christopher Baguley, vice chairman of Purley and Kenley Neighbourhood Partnership, echoed Coun O'Connell's concerns and thinks schools could be the next service to feel the impact of the rise in housing developments.

"We have got some very good schools in Kenley, but my fear is that in five years when the babies of the single parents that have moved here grow up there may not be enough school spaces for all of them which is very worrying."