Apologies for absence were received from Councillor McGrath, Councillor Suzie Hicks attended as substitute.

Councillor Sheri-Ann Bhim informed the committee that she worked in the same vicinity as one of the public speakers and has been informed that she can still take part in the discussion and vote of item 7.

There were no other declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2023 were agreed as an accurate record with updated wording to the condition on Item 6 related to terms of residents which confirmed disabled residents who required a car would be exempt.

The Chair will announce the order of Items at the beginning of the Meeting.

A Supplementary Agenda with any modifications will be published on the day of the meeting.

Note: there is no written report for this item

Please note that members of the public, including the applicant or anyone speaking on their behalf, are expressing their own opinions and the Council does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by them.

The Committee noted the amendments and modifications to the officer’s report. The Chair advised that the agenda would be taken in the published agenda order.

Please note that members of the public, including the applicant or anyone speaking on their behalf, are expressing their own opinions and the Council does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by them.

Members of the Development and Planning Application Committee received annual training from Jon Berry (Head of Development Management and Building Control).

Application No: 22/P3686

Ward: Abbey

Recommendation: Grant Outline Permission Subject to conditions, referral to the Greater London Authority (under The Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008)) and completion of the Variation to S106 Legal Agreement.

The Planning Officer presented the report.

The committee received presentations from two objectors who stated:

•         Demolition instead of refurbishment would not help global warming or local dust pollution as construction accounted for 45% of all CO2 emissions with 51% of all emissions from a home emitted before residents moved in.

•         Existing three and four storey apartments in High Path Estate could have an additional floor above with new installation.

•         49.6% affordable homes and the uplift in number of homes in the development was not enough to address the number of residents registered as homeless.

•         Shared ownership required a minimum annual income of £30,000 which wouldn’t help local residents in need.

•         Gas meter and flue would be built on the eastern flank of the resident’s wall and wrapped around the southern rear of the garden which encased the gas flue and external gas meters.

•         Site inspection stated the development was situated 107 meters from the resident’s home which was incorrect and updated in the modification document.

•         Development would be five storeys larger than the resident’s property and out of character for the area.

•         The daylight and overwhelming shadow document 22 concluded that 15 and 21 Merton High Street would have significant overshadowing and the development would directly overlook the gardens and windows of residential homes.

•         Despite numerous attempts to contact the developer, there has been no response.

•         The bulk, mass and height failed London Borough of Merton’s 2018 Estates Local plan Policy EPH8 as well as policy DMD2 2014 and Merton’s 2021 draft plan policy D12.3.

•         Main concern was with Plot 1 which would impact the property of the resident.

•         If the application was granted, they would engage the Member of Parliament from Richmond and Morden and request this was called into the Secretary of State or for a Judicial Review.

The committee received presentations from Ward Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Councillor Mike Brunt and Councillor John Braithwaite.

Councillor Eleanor Stringer raised points including:

•         There was a desperate need for regeneration of the development as well new homes in Merton, particularly affordable social homes.

•         The development would deliver 568 additional units, 227 of which were affordable.

•         Although the viability report suggested that the number of affordable homes could not be increased, they would be keen to have a condition to keep this under review.

•         Height was of concern to residents, particularly for those close by but on the whole the development seemed to be designed to have as low impact as possible on the surrounding area.

•         Impact on local economy, community and environment needed to be considered and provision of the community centre was welcomed.

•         The Urban Greening Factor fell short of the London guidelines so would like assurances that mature tree removal was limited with a condition which required mature trees to be replaced with mature trees if possible.

•         Impressed with the quality and design of the build in design phase one.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Application No: 22/P3385

Ward: Colliers Wood  

Recommendation: Grant variation of condition and Deed of variation to S106 agreement

The Planning Officer presented the report.

The committee received presentations from Ward Councillor Mike Brunt and Councillor John Braithwaite.

Cllr Mike Brunt raised points including:

·       Would like it guaranteed that a full environmental study of both sides of the river was undertaken to ensure the ecosystem was not disturbed by the construction of the bridge.

·       Requested that lighting for residents on the bridge was kept low and that something was in place to stop skateboards and e-bikes from coming straight from the bridge.

·       Concerned with the construction period and wanted to know if it was possible for construction to be accessed from the roundabout on Meratun Way, through part of the Sainsburys site, as residents on Station Road have had enough due to ongoing construction in the area.

Councillor John Braithwaite raised points including:

·       Supportive of the development due to the number of affordable homes.

·       Echoed points made by Cllr Brunt about construction access through Station Road and the effect of traffic, particularly on Abbey Road which was particularly dangerous during traffic.

·       Improved cycle and walking access would be welcomed whilst the site was built.

·       Overall happy with the scheme.

The committee received presentations from the agent, Giuseppe Cifaldi who raised points including:

·       The application was an amendment to the permission granted on 8 November 2022 for 42 Station Road.

·       Height, mass and general principle of development had already been found acceptable.

·       Since the application was accepted, the site was acquired by Clarion Housing Group and was an integral part of Merton’s Regeneration Programme.

·       There have been two consultation meetings with residents, most recently in April 2023, where many residents expressed interest in moving to Station Road and selected new homes based on their housing requirements and needs.

·       Approvement of the amendments would accelerate the regeneration of Eastfields.

·       If permission was granted it was anticipated that construction would be completed by November 2025 which allowed residents to move in 5 years earlier than originally planned.

·       Original scheme was granted with 40% affordable housing and only 11 family sized units. The section 73 application was required to change its tenure to an entirely social rented scheme which now provided 24 family sized dwellings.

·       Section 73 proposals were amended post submission to include an additional staircase in the northern block with amendments made inline with the governments consultation on fire regulations.

·       Other fire safety measures included fire evacuation lifts to both blocks, ventilation extraction lobbies, sprinkler systems throughout, fire doors and fire-resistant materials. Merton’s Build Control Officer confirmed the fire strategy as appropriate and in line with regulations.

·       The proposal continued to deliver a high architectural scheme with minor external changes in response to the reduced number of units which were found acceptable by Planning and Design Officers.

·       The development provided new affordable homes for resident who wished to move from Eastfields.

·       The proposal delivered a 100% social rented scheme with a voluntary decant for resident of Eastfields.

·       Removal of studio units for larger family apartments was in response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Officer Recommendation:

That Members note the contents of the report.

The report was noted.

In order to deliver the footbridge, consent was required from Sainsbury’s and Merton Highways. To date an oversells licence was secured with Sainsburys and an easement was in position to pass the footbridge over that part of the river. There was an outstanding easement with Merton Highways which they were chasing and was the only required consent needed.

The design of the bridge was ongoing with their design team and looked at safety, lighting and environmental impact which formed part of the conditions already in place.

The designs would be shared with the committee in 6 months time.

The intentions of the footbridge were for people to dismount off their bikes and carry it over the bridge.

Officer Recommendation:

That Members note the contents of the report.

This item was deferred.