The Development and Planning Applications Committee of Merton Council met on Thursday 25 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications and review enforcement actions. The meeting's agenda included proposals for new housing and sports facilities at the former NatWest Sports Ground, a residential extension in Wimbledon, and an update on planning appeal decisions and enforcement cases.

NatWest Sports Ground Redevelopment, Land North of Turle Road, Streatham, London

The committee was scheduled to consider an outline planning application for the demolition of existing buildings and structures at the former NatWest Sports Ground to facilitate a phased redevelopment. The proposal included a sports-led scheme with two hockey pitches, three padel courts, a sports hall, and a pavilion. It also encompassed the construction of 353 new homes (150 houses and 203 apartments) and an 84-bed care home, with buildings ranging from two to six storeys. The plans also detailed a new local park, ponds, playspace, informal recreation areas, and associated facilities.

The report indicated a recommendation to grant outline permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement, conditions, and a stage 2 referral to the Greater London Authority (GLA). Significant discussion was anticipated regarding the loss of designated open space, the provision and long-term management of sports facilities, highway impacts, drainage, and the scale and massing of the proposed buildings. Numerous representations from residents and local authorities, including the London Borough of Croydon and Sport England, were noted, raising concerns about traffic, infrastructure strain, loss of playing fields, and design. Sport England, in particular, objected to the proposal, citing the loss of playing fields and the failure to meet exceptions outlined in their policy and national planning frameworks.

The report detailed extensive consultation responses and officer assessments concerning various aspects of the proposal, including:

• Land Use and Open Space: The proposal was considered a departure from the Development Plan due to the development of designated open space. However, the GLA supported the principle of development, balancing the loss of open space against the provision of new sports facilities, a public park in an area of deficiency, and new housing, including affordable housing.
• Affordable Housing: The scheme proposed 35% affordable housing, with a tenure split of 74.5% social rent and 25.6% shared ownership, meeting the Mayor's fast-track route requirements.
• Design and Urban Realm: The layout was generally considered well-conceived, with a central village green and a mix of housing typologies. However, the GLA suggested opportunities for intensification, and concerns were raised about the initial design of the care home and the relationship between sports and residential uses. Amendments had been made to address these points.
• Transport: Transport for London (TfL) raised concerns regarding trip generation, junction modelling, and cycle store design, requesting further work and contributions towards highway improvements. The proposed parking provision was considered compliant with London Plan standards but TfL advocated for further reduction to encourage modal shift.
• Environment and Sustainability: Extensive discussions were noted regarding energy strategy, carbon offset contributions, whole life-cycle carbon assessments, circular economy principles, and sustainable drainage. The Environment Agency assessed the proposal as low risk for flooding. Thames Water identified issues with foul water and water network capacity, requesting conditions to ensure upgrades.
• Biodiversity and Ecology: The scheme proposed a Biodiversity Net Gain of 11.88% and an Urban Greening Factor of 0.42, exceeding policy requirements. However, concerns were raised by a third-party ecologist regarding reptile surveys and the classification of trees.
• Fire Safety: A fire safety statement had been submitted, and detailed matters would be addressed at the building regulations stage.
• Archaeology: Historic England recommended a two-stage archaeological condition to evaluate and potentially investigate any remains.
• Neighbour Amenity: Concerns were raised by neighbours regarding loss of light, privacy, visual intrusion, and noise from sports facilities. Officers assessed these impacts and concluded they were generally acceptable, subject to conditions, particularly regarding noise management and floodlighting hours.
• Deliverability and Viability: The scheme's viability was assessed, indicating it could support the proposed affordable housing and sports facilities but not further contributions. Phasing of the development was a key consideration to ensure the timely delivery of planning benefits.

61 Cranleigh Road, Wimbledon, SW19 3LX

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the conversion of a garage into a habitable room, along with the erection of a first-floor side extension and ground and first-floor rear additions. The report noted that the application had been called in by Councillor Stephen Mercer due to concerns about neighbour notification.

The officer's report indicated that the proposed extensions were considered to respect and complement the design and detailing of the original building and its surroundings. While neighbours raised concerns about loss of light, privacy, and the scale of the first-floor rear extension, officers concluded that the modest size and setbacks of the proposed extensions would not result in an undue negative impact on neighbouring amenity. The conversion of the garage was considered to be within permitted development rights, and the proposed extensions were deemed acceptable in terms of design, scale, and massing.

Planning Appeal Decisions

Members were to be presented with a summary of recent planning appeal decisions made by Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State. This included decisions on high hedge remedial notices, refusals for the retention of extensions and the creation of flats, prior approval for rear extensions, changes of use, and the demolition of existing dwellings for replacement.

Planning Enforcement - Summary of Recent Work

The committee was to receive an update on the work of the Planning Enforcement Team. The report detailed current enforcement cases, new appeals, cases closed, and new enforcement notices issued. It highlighted a significant backlog at the Planning Inspectorate for determining appeals, with a focus on larger, more complex schemes. Specific cases were to be summarised, including updates on untidy land notices, tree replacement notices, and breach of condition notices.

Glossary of Terms

A glossary of planning terms was provided for reference, defining terms such as Development Plan Documents (DPDs), Floodplain, Historic Environment, Local Development Framework (LDF), London Plan, and Secured by Design.

The meeting was scheduled to conclude with a recommendation to grant planning permission for the 61 Cranleigh Road application, subject to conditions, and to note the contents of the reports on planning appeal decisions and enforcement actions. The NatWest Sports Ground redevelopment was presented as a departure from the Development Plan, with officers advising that Members should weigh the benefits against the harm caused by the loss of open space and existing sporting facilities.