Policy information sourced from the Merton Sites and Policies Plan

DM T3 Car parking and servicing standards

Link to Core Planning Strategy Policy CS 20 Parking, servicing and delivery

Policy aim

To ensure that the level of residential and non residential parking and servicing provided is suitable for its location and managed to minimise its impact on local amenity and the road network.

Policy

  • Development should only provide the level of car parking required to serve the site taking into account its accessibility by public transport (PTAL) and local circumstances in accordance with London Plan standards unless a clear need can be demonstrated.
  • Planning permission for residential permit free development will be approved where the council is satisfied that this will not have an adverse effect on the level of on-street parking, road safety or local amenity. Permit free development will be expected to:
    • Prohibit through legal agreement and Title Deeds occupants from obtaining a parking permit.
    • Benefit from good access to public transport (generally PTAL 4 or above).
    • Be within an existing Controlled Parking Zone.
    • Ensure that the public transport infrastructure has enough capacity to serve increased demand arising from the development.
  • That for mixed use development parking spaces should be allocated to each specific use.
  • Disabled and electric vehicle parking spaces should be provided in accordance with the London Plan standards. Where appropriate, provision should also be made for Car Clubs, Car Sharing schemes (including free floating style car sharing schemes where cars can be picked up and left within specified zones), motorcycles, taxi and coach parking where identified by a Transport Assessment or in support of a Travel Plan.
  • That car parking in retail and leisure development is allocated towards short stay parking, takes into account local charging structures, achieves a nationally recognised safety mark standard and is not reserved for any development.
  • Planning permission for the conversion of existing parking places for other uses will be supported where it is demonstrated to be surplus to requirement, the site is well served by public transport and supported by a range of alternative travel choices and will not adversely impact on road safety, on-street parking and local amenity.
  • New development or modification to existing development should make proper provision for loading and servicing in accordance with Freight Transport Association (FTA) guidance, except when a development would impact on a listed building or designated conservation area then facilities will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • That car parking at ambulance, fire and policing facilities will be assessed on individual merits.

For more information see the Merton Sites and Policies Plan