Officer Recommendation:
Grant Permission subject to S.106 Obligation and conditions.

1. Proposal - Application for outline planning permission considering access and scale for the demolition of the existing two storey buildings at 34-40 Morden Road [providing 1 two bedroom house, 2 one bedroom flats and 7 studio flats] and erection of a building up to a maximum of five storeys [previously up to 8 storeys] providing an 'aparthotel' consisting of 17 serviced apartments including 7 studio units and 10 one bedroom units provided short term accommodation together with 9 residential flats providing 6 one bedroom, 2 two bedroom and 1 studio flat [Outline planning application with access and scale considered at this stage with external appearance, landscaping, layout reserved matters for future consideration].

2. Height – There was discussion about the height of the proposed 5 storey building, particularly in comparison to other buildings in the neighbourhood.  Officers confirmed that the precise height was not included in the report, but that officers estimated that the new building would be a maximum of 13m high at its core, and advised that, if necessary, a maximum height for the new building could be derived from scaling the drawings submitted with this outline application.

2.1 There was also discussion of how the 5 storey building would appear when viewed from the street and other buildings.  Officers highlighted that the top floor would be recessed back so giving the appearance of a 4 storey building when viewed from the street.

3. Discussion – The was extensive discussion of the application including on the above issue of height and on the heritage value of the cottages on the site, the standard of accommodation to be provided, the location of the new building within the application site, and its bulk and massing.

4. Refusal Motion:  It was moved and seconded that permission be refused as detailed below on the same grounds as the previous application (ref. 13/P1898) (as shown in para. 4.3, page 221) subject to the deletion of (iv) referring to Nelson Gardens.  The motion was carried by 9 votes to nil (Councillor Linda Kirby not voting).  Subsequently it was noted that the proposed grounds of refusal referred to the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and the Committee agreed that officers be delegated authority to agree the detailed grounds of refusal and also agreed (C) below.

Decision: Item 12 - ref. 14/P3856 (34-40 Morden Road, South Wimbledon, SW19 3BJ)

(A) subject to detailed grounds of refusal being agreed in accordance with (B) below, REFUSE permission on grounds relating to the following -

The proposals fail to demonstrate that the development
(i) would respond to and reinforce the locally distinctive pattern of development and landscape; (ii) respect the siting, rhythm, scale, density, proportions, height, and massing of surrounding buildings; and (iii) achieve a high standard of design that would complement the character and local distinctiveness of the adjoining townscape and landscape; and would be harmful to the visual amenities of neighbours and of the area generally.  The proposals would be contrary to policies 3.5 and 7.4 of the London Plan, policy CS.14 of the Merton LDF Core Planning Strategy, and policies BE16 (i) and BE.22 (i) and (ii) of the Merton Unitary Development Plan (2003).

(B) Delegation: The Director of Environment & Regeneration be delegated authority to agree the detailed grounds of refusal, including any appropriate amendments, additions and/or deletions to the proposed grounds/policies.

(C) Reasons for not following Planning Officers' recommendation for permission: The Committee disagreed with  the officer assessment of the visual impact of the proposal.