Policy information sourced from the Merton Core Planning Strategy.

CS13 Open Space, Nature Conservation, Leisure and Culture

We will:

  • Protect and enhance the borough’s public and private open space network including Metropolitan Open Land, parks, and other open spaces;
  • Improve access to open space and nature conservation by public transport, cycle, mobility vehicles and on foot;
  • Expect development to incorporate and maintain appropriate elements of open space, play areas and landscape features such as trees which makes a positive contribution to the wider network of open spaces. Where this is not feasible, planning contributions will be sought to do so;
  • Work with partners to develop and implement proposals for the Wandle Valley Regional Park;
  • Any proposals for new dwellings in back gardens must be justified against the:
    • local context and character of the site
    • biodiversity value of the site
    • value in terms of green corridors and green islands
    • flood risk and climate change impacts
  • Safeguard our existing allotments and encourage the use of land for growing food.
  • Nature Conservation

To improve opportunities for our residents and visitors to experience nature we will:

  1. Protect and enhance biodiversity through supporting the objectives of the London Biodiversity Action Plans;
  2. Encourage new green links, green corridors and islands to seek to reduce areas of deficiency in nature conservation and to create safe species movement and havens for nature;
  3. Refuse development that has a significant adverse effect on the population or conservation status of protected or priority species and priority habitats;
  4. Require any development proposals likely to affect a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Metropolitan, Borough or Local Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and Local Nature Reserve, as shown on the Proposals Map, to demonstrate that such development will not adversely affect the nature conservation values of the site;
  5. Protect street trees and use Tree Preservation Orders to safeguard significant trees;
  6. Improve public access to and enhance our waterways, including the River Wandle and its banks, for leisure and recreational use while protecting its biodiversity value;
  7. Expect new development within the area of the Wandle Valley Regional Park,where appropriate, to incorporate physical, visual and landscape connections that will encourage pedestrian and cycle accessibility and enhance the attractiveness of the park;
  8. Require, where appropriate, development to integrate new or enhanced habitat or design and landscaping which encourages biodiversity and where possible avoid causing ecological damage. Developers must propose full mitigation and compensation measures for any ecological damage that is caused.
  • Leisure and Culture

Based on assessment of need and capacity, opportunities in culture, sport, recreation and play will be promoted by:

  1. Safeguarding the existing viable cultural, leisure, recreational and sporting facilities and supporting proposals for new and improved facilities;
  2. Refurbishing and replacing culture, sport, recreation and play facilities in our parks and open spaces;
  3. Promoting healthy lifestyles to encourage physical education and well-being through the use of our leisure centres, schools, open spaces, playing pitches, recreation space and engagement in the arts through the use of our schools and colleges, open spaces, theatres and libraries. We will also encourage exercise in daily routines such as when travelling to work or school;
  4. Working with partners to facilitate and enable them to deliver culture, sport, recreation, play facilities and events for community benefit. To encourage shared use of sites and space through joint funding initiatives and commissioning, external funding including public and private sources;
  5. Safeguarding existing and seeking to provide enhanced play facilities along with formal and informal play spaces where these are needed;
  6. Working with key partners including the South London Partnership in the preparation and delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and in particular the Olympic tennis event at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

For more information, please see the Core Planning Strategy.