The Development and Planning Applications Committee of Merton Council met on Thursday 14 November 2024. The committee advised that Full Council should adopt Merton's new Local Plan and Policies Map, replacing the Core Planning Strategy 2011 and the Sites and Policies Plan 2014. They also recommended delegating authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Sustainable Development to approve all necessary adoption documents and other consequential matters.

New Local Plan Introduction

The committee was presented with a report recommending the adoption of Merton's new Local Plan and Policies Map. This plan, following an extensive preparation process including public consultation, submission to the Secretary of State, and examination by independent planning inspectors, will replace the Merton's Core Planning Strategy 2011 and Merton's Sites and Policies Plan 2014. The plan aims to guide planning decisions in the borough and supports the council's strategic priorities of Nurturing Civic Pride, Building a Sustainable Future, and Creating a Borough of Sport. Key policy changes include extending zero carbon targets to minor residential schemes, driving investment in building fabric for energy efficiency, increasing on-site carbon targets, requiring low-carbon heating systems, and increasing carbon offset contributions. The plan also raises the borough-wide affordable housing target to 50% for new major developments, with 70% of these being socially rented homes.

The report detailed the extensive consultation process undertaken, including a call for sites, draft local plan consultations, post-hearings consultations, and further main modification consultations. The Planning Inspectors' final report concluded that the Local Plan is sound and legally compliant, subject to recommended main modifications. The committee was advised that the preferred option was for the council to adopt the new Local Plan and replace the 2014 Sites and Policies Plan and 2011 Core Planning Strategy. The committee advised that Full Council should adopt Merton's Local Plan and Policies Map, and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, to approve all necessary adoption documents and other consequential matters.

Planning Appeal Decisions

The committee noted the contents of the report detailing recent planning appeal decisions. These included:

• 10 Pitt Crescent, Wimbledon Park: Appeal allowed for the retention of an outbuilding for ancillary use, including cooking and sleeping accommodation, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.
• 8 Pitt Crescent, Wimbledon Park: Appeal allowed for the retention of an outbuilding for ancillary use, including cooking and sleeping accommodation, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.
• Former White Hart Public House, 350 London Road, Mitcham: An enforcement notice was served for the unauthorised material change of use of the upper floor of the main building from staff accommodation ancillary to the public house to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The notice requires the use to cease.
• 7 Streatham Road, Mitcham: An enforcement notice was served for the unauthorised construction of an upper-floor extension to an existing detached outbuilding and roof extension. Following non-compliance, prosecution proceedings were initiated, resulting in a total fine of £30,961 to be paid over three years.
• 5 Rosedene Avenue, Morden: An enforcement notice was served for the use of a rear outbuilding as a self-contained dwelling. The notice required the outbuilding to be reverted to incidental use. Compliance has been achieved.
• 1a Kenley Road, Wimbledon: Appeal dismissed for the erection of a single-storey front, side and rear extension, including a porch.
• 245-247 Burlington Road, New Malden: Appeal dismissed for the erroneous identification of a green corridor as a potential impact on environmental designations.
• 80-86 Bushey Road, Raynes Park: Appeal allowed for the retention of commercial (including retail, business and industrial uses where appropriate to a residential area), with residential elements phased in later years.
• 10 Pitt Crescent, Wimbledon Park: Appeal allowed for the retention of an outbuilding for ancillary use, including cooking and sleeping accommodation, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.
• 8 Pitt Crescent, Wimbledon Park: Appeal allowed for the retention of an outbuilding for ancillary use, including cooking and sleeping accommodation, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.
• 101 Garth Road, Mitcham: Appeal allowed for the conversion of a garage to a dwellinghouse, with the inspector considering it ancillary to the main dwellinghouse.
• 52-54 High Street, Wimbledon: Two appeals relating to the installation of roller shutters were dismissed.
• 28 Oakleigh Way, Mitcham: Two appeals relating to the conversion of an extension to a self-contained residential unit and a rear canopy without permission were dismissed.

Planning Enforcement - Summary of Recent Work

The committee noted the summary of casework being dealt with by the Planning Enforcement Team. There were 260 current enforcement cases, with 30 new complaints received and 20 cases closed in the reporting period. One breach of condition notice and three enforcement notices were issued. There were two prosecutions instructed. Regarding tree issues, 45 tree preservation order applications were received, with 99% determined within the statutory time limits. Two high hedge complaints were received, and one tree replacement notice was issued. There were no new tree preservation orders.

The committee also noted the update on the former public house, Burn Bullock, where discussions with the owners are ongoing regarding the roof. For 5 Rosedene Avenue, Morden, the outbuilding has been reverted to incidental use. An enforcement notice was served for the unauthorised construction of an upper-floor extension at 7 Streatham Road, Mitcham, leading to a fine of £30,961. Appeals on enforcement notices were noted, with five successful appeals and two dismissed.

New Local Plan Introduction

The committee noted the report on the New Local Plan Introduction. The report recommended that Full Council adopts Merton's Local Plan and Policies Map, replacing the Merton's Core Planning Strategy 2011 and Merton's Sites and Policies Plan 2014. It also recommended delegating authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, to approve all necessary adoption documents and other consequential matters.

The committee discussed several recommendations regarding the Local Plan, including:

• Recommendation C: Acknowledging that tall buildings would only be acceptable in locations identified within the plan and recommending the creation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on tall buildings. This recommendation was refused by the committee.
• Recommendation D: Acknowledging the national requirement for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and recommending that Merton's Biodiversity Net Gain Group membership be reviewed annually. This recommendation was refused by the committee.
• Recommendation E: Acknowledging the 15-year life of the plan and the consultation rounds, and recommending that Merton adapt policies as things change, including through SPDs. This recommendation was withdrawn.
• Recommendation F: Acknowledging the importance of resident trust in the planning process and recommending engagement with ward councillors and resident groups from the pre-application stage. This recommendation was withdrawn.

Following discussion, the committee voted to grant permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement for the applications at 10 Pitt Crescent and 8 Pitt Crescent. The committee also noted the report on Planning Appeal Decisions and the Enforcement Update Report.