Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan

DM E2 Offices in town centres

Link to Core Planning Strategy Policies 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 offices and business and minimise negative effects on other users.

Policy

In Merton’s town centres, the council will protect offices for which there is need by:

  • Encouraging the refurbishment/ redevelopment of existing vacant offices for office use.
  • Only supporting proposals for the change of use on upper floors, from office floorspace to alternative uses, if it can be demonstrated to the council’s satisfaction that there is no demand for the office use. This can be demonstrated by full and proper marketing of the site at reasonable prices for a period of 30 months (2 ½ years).
  • Ensuring that all proposals would have no significant adverse effects on the amenities of nearby residents, road safety nor create significant car parking problems.

For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan