The deafening silence IS being questioned .
An open letter has been written demanding action from our elected representatives, PLEASE SIGN as the more people behind it the louder the message becomes until it cannot be silenced.
An Open Letter to Croydon Council and MP’s
Whilst I’ve no doubt that meeting swill be called, consultations organised, promises made but within 10 years nothing will have changed apart from the feeling you have been cheated; therefore it is essential that results are the only evidence we accept as commitment to our improving our area. Keep in mind that democracy becomes irrelevant if ‘public meetings’ are used simply as a tool to enhance the illusion that the community were consulted and concurred!
Two quotes from Abraham Lincoln commenting on his own position of power, sprang to mind after reading the letter:
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
South Norwood has a rich wonderful wonderful history, matched only by the diverse character and culture of the community.
..complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
Lets ensure that South Norwood is developed for the benefit of the current community and not to make space for people whose disposable monthly income is higher than the average yearly wage!
The letter reads:
South Norwood is stuck – there is talk of regeneration all while the main high streets are being decimated by ugly conversions of shops to flats. We would like Croydon Council to suspend planning permissions for such conversions on Portland Road for two years and to heavily penalise shop owners who go ahead with these conversions before planning permission has been given.
There appears to be a habit of shop owners seeking unrealistically high rent to prove that they can’t rent the shops. We also ask Croydon Council to engage with the shop owners to keep rent at a realistic level so that the many keen small business in the area can start to revitalise the flagging High Street and Portland Road instead of being priced out of the area or forced to run online only business.
In 2014 Emertons The Ironmonger in Station Road was paying £90 for a street trading licence so they could display stock on the street, but 2015 it was £900 and this year £1500. The rise of the licence to £1,500 is simply too much for a small businesses to afford. We ask that Croydon Council return the licences for Emertons and the Clock Tower Green Grocer and other South Norwood businesses display stock on the street back to the previously affordable 2014 rates.
We would also like to see the same conservation status given to Market Parade extended further down Portland Road to cover the shops down to Dundee Road so a new hub area can generate around the Leisure Centre and Doctors’ Surgeries.
This petition will be delivered to:
- Croydon council
- Gavin Barwell & Steve Reed
- Shadow Minister for Diverse Communities
Dawn Butler
Sign to show your support to demand change but shaped by people who currently reside here.
South Norwood Tourist Board 
The local councillors have been listening:
* later this year the Council will be supporting the establishment of 3 pop up new shops at the top end of Portland Road. They will occupy shops that have been empty for many years
* early in the new year the Market Parade area of Portland Rd and Station Rd will be transformed with smart new pavements, seating, planting and public art reflecting the rich history of the area
* the new Croydon planning ‘Local Plan’ which should be adopted in autumn 17 will redesignate and protect the shopping parades between Dundee Rd and Sandown Rd. The same area will be also be designated as a Neighbourhood Centre recognising its importance to the local area
* the Council is supporting and helping to fund the Portland Road Community Garden that PPR have started to develop around the leisure and health centres
* South Norwood will be getting Christmas lights again thanks to funding from local businesses, PPR and the Council
[…] towards the end of his missive, Scott even called on people to support a petition from the serial subverters, the South Norwood Tourist Board, which had been raised following the report that some local shops are under threat of closure after […]