Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan

DM E1 Employment areas in Merton

Link to Core Planning Strategy Policies CS 5 Wandle Valley Regional Park; CS 7 Centres and CS 12 Economic Development.

Policy aim

To ensure that there is an adequate supply of suitable sites and premises in locations that optimise opportunities and co-locational advantages for businesses and minimise negative effects on other users. This policy is in accordance with national, regional and local guidance which highlight the benefits of planning for sustainable economic growth; allowing for growth in business and jobs to enable economic recovery whilst being flexible to support an economy fit for the 21st Century.

Policy

Proposals relating to employment sites will only be supported that:

  • Subject to Policy DM E2 and Policy DM E3, retain existing employment land and floorspace. The council will support proposals for the redevelopment of vacant and underused existing employment land and floorspace for employment use (B use classes).
  • Provide:
    • Small, large and major offices and businesses (B1 [a] Use Class) in town centres or in areas with good access to public transport (PTAL 4 and above) and within close proximity to additional services for employees and workers. (The definitions of small, large and major floorspace are in accordance with Policy DM R1 (ai)).
    • Small (generally floorspace below 280 sqm) offices and businesses (B1 [a] Use Class) throughout the borough.
  • Have good access to public transport. Proposals for offices and business (B1 [a] Use Class) should be easily accessible by walking and cycling. Measures to reduce reliance on car travel such as parking restrictions, travel plans and other appropriate measures will also be required.
  • Provide research and development (B1[b] Use Class), light industrial (B1[c] Use Class), general industrial (B2 Use Class) and storage and distribution (B8 Use Class) in Merton’s Strategic Industrial Locations and Locally Significant Industrial Sites.
  • Are well designed. All proposals for developments should:
    • Have layout, access, parking, landscaping and facilities that are secure and appropriate to the site and its surroundings;
    • Not unacceptably affect the operation of neighbouring businesses; and,
    • not adversely affect traffic movement, road safety or local amenity.

For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan