If you would like to raise an item under the Open Forum please email getinvolved@merton.gov.uk ahead of the meeting.

A number of residents wanted to speak about the planning application for the Mitcham Gasworks. Cllr Mundy said best way is to take part in the consultation but happy to hear from residents to help inform in the developer. Cllr Mundy, who is also Chair of the Planning Committee, and other and other Councillors cannot prejudge the application.

Residents expressed a number of views on the planning application that included:

• It is not an appropriate site for tower blocks and the application is too tall. This will overshadow the Common.
• There should be a maximum of five stories
• Properties are too small and will be too high density. The plan exceeds the capacity for the site set out in the Local Plan.
• The design is poor and square blocks are unattractive
• The design is out of character for Mitcham
• There are too many single aspect homes in the plans
• Developers pictures are misleading
• Massive problems with infrastructure like traffic, parking issues on Bond Road and the impact on schools, hospitals and GPs
• There is a similar issue with plans in Streatham Vale
• Thames Water report said the developer wouldn’t be able to provide water supply 
• No parking provision is not thought through
• Flooding issues on London Road and Cricket Green Road would be made worse. 
• Scheme like this wouldn’t be accepted in Wimbledon

In addition, a resident said they wrote to Merton Council last August and got a response from Cllr Judge.

A resident asked who will be housed on site and Cllr Mundy said that usually Merton Council would have an arrangement with a Registered Provider to place people form the Council waiting list. A resident said they had been on the housing list for 26 years.

A resident asked what is classed is affordable housing and Cllr Mundy said that national rules set out definitions for affordable rent and ownership including shared ownership to be included but it depends on a viability assessment. Cllr Mundy also explained that any conditions placed on schemes are enforced by Council and that due to the size of the development the plans could be considered by the Mayor of London.

A resident asked about submitting the petition they had collected, and Cllr Mundy said this could be sent to the Planning Officer to be considered as part of the application.

A resident asked what Merton Council’s response to the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone was. A statement can be found on the Council website.

A resident said that the Barclays building was now eyesore and wanted an update. This would be provided at a future meeting.

A resident asked about lighting in the car park by Morrisons and Cllr Johnston said the first floor lighting fixed.

Cllr Mundy said the government was holding a consultation on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill reforms to national planning policy until 2 March.

Councillor Mundy agreed to write, as Chair of the Mitcham forum and Planning Committee Chair, to the applicant to highlight the exchange. He thanked residents for attending and closed the meeting.