Merton Tories Planning Policies

Well these are the policies the Tories in Merton are pursuing in relation to planning policy. They have sought external legal advice on the matter from a QC(and in the process wasted thousands of pounds) but many of the points within their proposed planning policies run contrary to Government planning policy guidance and the evidential base is lacking in many of the below points.

The person who has been busy pursuing this policy is Cllr Diane Neil-Mills who was only elected to Merton in May, but was appointed straight away to the Cabinet. Seeing the below, it is clear that some of the points raised are more prejudiced based then substantive. At the end of the day it is the same old Tories, Cameron may try to portray himself as moderate but Diane Neil-Mills and her colleagues are anything but moderate.

A debate needs to be had about our Local Development Framework(which has been delayed as they attempt to try insert some of the below points) but it has to be done in a sensible way and not in a knee-jerk way.

The below was released as appenidx to a Council question.


Merton Council Broad Policy Initiatives with Planning Considerations (Appenidx A)

General Development
1.1 Ensure that every development maximises the opportunity to enhance/improve the site, delivering high quality development with due respect for local character

1.2 Ensure that new development (particularly new housing) is only permitted in cases in which the infrastructure (parking, road capacity/rail/bus/schooling) is able to support the development

1.3 Protect precious architecture and rural beauty

Housing
2.1 Encourage/facilitate home ownership (including first time buyers), particularly in social housing developments (ie, that the target mix between social rented/shared ownership/key worker in new housing programmes reflects the current imbalance and is therefore more heavily weighted towards intermediate housing and less towards social rented)

2.2 Ensure new housing is built to a high standard and reflects the local character

2.3 Ensure that conversion of single home into multiple units is less feasible and desirable (ie, only allow conversion of family housing into flats when (a) there is a clear excess of family housing/shortage of small flats (b) the local street character will not be adversely impacted (c) there will not be an adverse impact on neighbouring properties (including privacy) (d) there will not be an adverse impact on on-street parking and (e) the flats will be of a sufficient standard (in terms of size, aspect, amenities))

2.4 Disallow construction of new social housing in areas in which current imbalance exists (eg, Mitcham) and use Section 106 funds (in lieu of provision of new social housing stock in kind) for replacement/improvement of existing housing stock

2.5 Prioritise construction of family homes (ie, three bedroom plus) in new housing developments (both private and public housing)

2.6 Make greater use of private sector to provide social housing

2.7 Ensure that new housing developments take crime and environment into consideration for design purposes (eg, landscaping and alley-gating)

Open Spaces

3.1 Protect open spaces and conservation areas (ie, disallow development of green spaces, restrict infill and garden developments within curtilage of existing homes)

4. Town Centre Development/Secondary High Street Improvement

4.1 Improve provision of parking spaces in town centres (eg, Wimbledon) and secondary high streets for shoppers and ensure that any new development in town centres (including residential schemes) permits adequate provision for off-street parking

4.2 Promote schemes to boost local businesses and improve secondary high streets

5. Mobile Phone Masts

5.1 Require all mobile phone masts to receive planning approval

Appendix B: Merton Council Specific Policy Initiatives with Planning Considerations of Immediate Concern

Housing
1.1 Encourage/facilitate home ownership (including first time buyers), particularly in social housing developments (ie, that the target mix between social rented/shared ownership/key worker in new housing programmes reflects the current imbalance and is therefore more heavily weighted towards intermediate housing and less towards social rented)

1.2 Ensure that conversion of single home into multiple units is less feasible and desirable (ie, only allow conversion of family housing into flats when (a) there is a clear excess of family housing/shortage of small flats (b) the local street character will not be adversely impacted (c) there will not be an adverse impact on neighbouring properties (including privacy) (d) there will not be an adverse impact on on-street parking and (e) the flats will be of a sufficient standard (in terms of size, aspect, amenities))

1.3 Disallow construction of new social housing in areas in which current imbalance exists (eg, Mitcham) and use Section 106 funds (in lieu of provision of new social housing stock in kind) for replacement/improvement of existing housing stock

1.4 Prioritise construction of family homes (ie, three bedroom plus) in new housing developments (both private and public housing)

Open Spaces

2.1 Protect open spaces and conservation areas (ie, disallow development of open spaces, restrict infill and garden developments within curtilage of existing homes)

3. Town Centre Development/Secondary High Street Improvement

3.1 Improve provision of parking spaces in town centres (eg, Wimbledon) and secondary high streets for shoppers and ensure that any new development in town centres (including residential schemes) permits adequate provision for off-street parking