Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan
DM R5 Food and drink / leisure and entertainment uses
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 ensure that food and drink/leisure and entertainment uses are located in a suitable location for customers, but do not cause unacceptable environmental or social impacts. These uses provide and complement retail choice for consumers and contribute towards the vitality and vibrancy of Merton’s town centres.
Policy
Food and drink/ leisure and entertainment uses Proposals for restaurants and cafes (A3 Use Class), public houses (A4 Use Class), hot food takeaways (A5 Use Class) and leisure and entertainment uses (D2 Use Class) will be supported provided all of the following criteria have been met:
- The proposals would not have an unacceptable impact on local amenity and the general environment, car parking, traffic congestion and road safety. Proposals would need to take into account the:
- Size of unit;
- Characteristics and type of use proposed;
- The nature of the area;
- The number and size of other food and drink (Use Class A3, A4 and A5) and leisure and entertainment uses (Use Class D2) in the area;
- The likely cumulative effect of these uses, including combined and cumulative effects at different times of the day and night; and,
- Whether the location is well served by public transport.
- Adequate noise containment measures are included and sound insulation is provided, where appropriate, to safeguard the amenity of adjoining residential and business uses;
- They would not have an unacceptable effect on local amenity through noise, disturbance or fumes;
- The proposed opening hours would be acceptable and;
- Adequate ventilation, waste disposal, litter management and crime prevention arrangements appropriate to the use and location can be provided.
Hot food takeaways
- Proposals which results in an over-concentration of hot food takeaways (A5 uses) will not be permitted as this would detract from the ability to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Protection of public houses
- Proposals that will result in the loss of a public house will only be permitted where all the following criteria are met:
- the applicant can demonstrate to the council’s satisfaction that the public house is no longer economically viable and;
- there are alternative public houses located within the local area
Protection of leisure and entertainment
- Proposals for the loss of entertainment and leisure facilities (D2 uses) will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate to the council’s satisfaction that the leisure and entertainment uses are no longer viable.
For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan