CROYDON Council has permanently withdrawn its Coulsdon Masterplan following a legal challenge from residents in neighbouring Chipstead.
The shock withdrawal of the document setting out planning guidance for the town at a time of intense development follows a request by residents of Chipstead, Surrey, for a judicial review.
The authority confirmed today it had agreed to "set aside" the masterplan following a "detailed review of the overall nature of the plan, the methodology used in drafting it and recent case law."
The document was formally adopted as planning guidance in September and took more than two years to produce amid heavy consultation with residents across the area.
But its many critics said it failed to plan properly for the traffic produced by a planned development of nearly 700 homes in Cane Hill, bordering Chipstead, among other concerns.
Croydon Council says it will now 're-evaluate proposals around the [Cane Hill] site,' for which the planning application has been published over the last week.
A spokesman added: "This follows concerns that were raised with the council's leader and the cabinet member for planning at a series of public meetings with ward members and local people."
Jason Perry, cabinet member for planning, regeneration and transport, said the doomed masterplan had achieved some of its aims.
He said: "One of the fundamental purposes of the masterplanning process is to make sure everyone is aware of possible future developments.
"It also allows residents to voice their opinions and ensures that large building projects work well together with existing neighbourhoods.
"These objectives have clearly been achieved and the masterplan has already done its job through the high level of community involvement which has been generated and the heightened awareness of current major planning applications submitted within the area.
"By looking at these sites in an organised way and making landowners work together, we have avoided a situation which might have seen developers not talking to one another and drawing up proposals in isolation."
He added: "Many of the conclusions which were included within the masterplan met with general consent during the consultation stage.
"However we acknowledge that there are some elements which caused significant concern for some individuals and this is what has led to the current situation.
"I can reassure people this work has provided us with valuable studies and analyses.
"We have also had the opportunity to explore and assess a wide range of alternatives in advance of current major planning applications being submitted."
Updates to follow...
