Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan

DM R3 Protecting corner/ local shops

Link to Merton’s Core Planning Strategy policies: CS 7 Centres; CS 1 Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon sub-area; CS 2 Mitcham sub-area; CS 3 Morden sub-area; CS 4 Raynes Park sub-area and CS 6 Wimbledon sub-area.

Policy aim

To protect local shops that provide a useful service to local residents and to ensure that local shops are within walking distance of all residents in Merton whilst reducing vacancy rates in shopping frontages that detract from the local area.

Policy

In predominantly residential areas, outside town centres and neighbourhood parades, to ensure that there are convenience shopping facilities and other services located within walking distance of all residents in Merton, the council will seek to protect corner/local shops for which there is need, by:

  • Permitting the change of use of a corner/ local convenience shops (A1 Use Class) to a wide range of uses including retail (A1), businesses (A2 and B1 [a] Use Class), cafes and restaurants (A3), public houses (A4), hot food takeaways (A5), health and community uses (D1), where:
    • There are alternative convenience shops located within 400 metres;
    • The proposal will have no significant adverse effects on the amenities of nearby residents, road safety, traffic movements or car parking impacts; and,
    • Independent access to upper floors is ensured.
  • Subject to policy DM C1 and DM E3, supporting proposals for the change of use from uses detailed in Policy DM R3 (a) to residential uses, where it can be demonstrated to the council’s satisfaction that as a result of full and proper marketing of the site for at least 18 months (1½ years) at reasonable prices, that these uses are not viable.
  • Only permitting the change of use of a corner/ local convenience shops to uses detailed in Policy DM R3(a) where there are no alternative convenience shops located within 400 metres, where:
    • It can be demonstrated by full and proper marketing of the site for convenience use at reasonable prices for at least 12 months (1 years) and to the council’s satisfaction that there is no realistic prospect of convenience use in the future; and,
    • The proposal meets policy DM R3 (a) (ii) and (iii) above.

Neighbourhood parades

  • ‘Neighbourhood parades’, proposals for a wide range of town centre type uses appropriate to the scale of the parade will be permitted. A minimum of 30% of units should remain in retail use (A1 Use Class), taking into account unimplemented planning permissions.

All frontages in Merton’s town centres and neighbourhood parades

  • ‘Vacant units in shopping frontages’, temporary planning permission for re-occupation of vacant units may be granted for performance and creative uses.
  • ‘All shopping frontages in Merton’s town centres and neighbourhood parades’, subject to the relevant considerations in DM R4 (a)-(f) the council will permit the change of use in shopping frontages where:
    • The proposed use is compatible with a shopping frontage and provides a direct service to the general public;
    • The proposal will result in an ‘active street frontage’;
    • The vitality and viability of the town centre or neighbourhood parade is not likely to be significantly harmed;
    • A window display is provided; and where,
    • No significant adverse effects on the amenities of nearby residents, road safety, car parking or traffic flows would result from the proposal.

For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan