Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan

DM H5 Student housing, other housing with shared facilities and bedsits

Links to Core Planning Strategy Policy CS 8 Housing Choice

Policy aim

To create socially mixed communities, catering for all sectors of the community by providing a choice of housing with respect to dwelling size and type in the borough.

Policy

  • The development of student housing ,other housing with shared facilities and bedsits is supported provided that the development:
    • will not involve the loss of permanent housing;
    • will not compromise capacity to meet the supply of land for additional self-contained homes;
    • meets an identified local need;
    • will not result in an overconcentration of similar uses detrimental to residential character and amenity;
    • complies with all relevant standards for that use; and,
    • is fully integrated into the residential surroundings. Additionally with regards to student housing;
    • caters for recognised educational establishments within a reasonable travelling distance;
    • provides purpose built dedicated floorspace that is managed for cultural or arts studios or activities;
    • during term-time, it is available exclusively to students;
    • includes a range of layouts including those with shared facilities;
    • is located in an area well served by public transport concerning the recognised higher educational establishment it serves;
    • has an ownership or management arrangement secured by legal agreement in place with the recognised higher educational establishment it serves; and,
    • where requirements DM H5 from (vii) to (xii) inclusive cannot be demonstrated the proposal will be considered under Core Planning Strategy Policy CS 8 in respect of affordable housing provision.
  • The council will resist development which results in the net loss of student housing and other housing with shared facilities and bedsits unless either it can be demonstrated that:
    • there is a surplus of the existing accommodation in the area; or,
    • the existing accommodation is incapable of meeting relevant standards for accommodation of this type.
  • Where the council is satisfied that the development results in the net loss of student housing, other housing with shared facilities or bedsits, is justified, we will require that an equivalent amount of residential floorspace or permanent self contained housing in Use Class C3 to be provided and these proposals will be considered in respect to Core Planning Strategy Policy CS8.

For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan