Planning

WHAT WE'VE DONE

Our proposal to limit building heights in Wimbledon town centre & close the loophole that allowed Council to give permission for the overbearing St George’s House East development was voted down by Labour - while the Conservatives abstained.
After leading the challenge to the YMCA’s previous plans, we supported the current redevelopment, which includes 121 low-rent flats for young people, after the developer listened to the community’s concerns.
Lib Dems in Parliament have fought the Conservative scheme to allow developers to add 2 extra storeys to blocks of flats across Merton without needing planning permission or any requirement for affordable housing.
Supported Plan Wimbledon, the residents’ group formed to influence local planning decisions through a "neighbourhood plan" - now seeking to help it build links with local businesses.
Proposed restoring the publication of residents’ comments about planning applications online.

WHAT WE'LL DO

Adopt a new approach to planning by bringing the community, local businesses, social housing providers and commercial developers together to discuss competing priorities and necessary compromises.
We won't scrap the Local Plan (local planning rules), which would create a developers’ free-for-all, but instead amend and add to it to reflect the community’s priorities on issues like building heights, etc.
Develop local planning rules to embrace new ways of living and working, such as encouraging communal working areas in new developments.
Ensure planning enforcement is properly resourced to deal with ‘cowboy’ developers and ensure planning rules are followed.
Put more emphasis on waste storage and collection solutions before planning permission granted.