Notes of the meeting held at Merton Civic Centre on 5th July 2001
Present
Steve Clark head of planning LB Merton
Marcus Beale Wimbledon Civic Forum
Luc Moens Wimbledon Civic Forum

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record

RAYNES PARK. 

A breakfast meeting was held recently by Merton Chamber of Commerce which was well attended. 14-16 Coombe Lane - a high density mixed use development was won on appeal. This illustrates a trend, councillors are wary of it. The old Co-op site - A2-A3 change of use has been granted. Library scheme - a planning application has now been lodged - it will be some time before it is decided. CPZ (controlled parking zones) Initial response from local residents showed a strong body against - a conflicting message since some had proposed it - disheartening.

WIMBLEDON PARK. 

Request for it to be designated an Urban Village has been considered but it is felt to be too experimental at this stage. LBM want to see how this designation works for Mitcham before extending it. and will review in two years time. This is an issue affected by the Mayor of London’s Spatial Development Strategy. What are the success criteria? Development industry has responded well and so has business community. In Mitcham three schemes so far have come before council: 1) Fair Green: shops with residential behind and above - was refused against officers recommendation; 2) at the Swan - mixed high density, again refused against advice. 3) Clarendon Grove - high density - approved. Town Centres Ltd of 77 Cowcross Street are obtaining developer interest in sites in Mitcham and carrying out systematic monitoring so that the process has a proper methodology.

WIMBLEDON TOWN CENTRE

Civic Hall project has a July 2001 deadline to meet certain viability criteria - they have not achieved this and there is a question as to whether the council will continue. Pro - the hall facility would be desirable and useful, Con - limited progress on fund raising. MB raised the question that the parking requirement for this site made it something of a poisoned chalice. What is the history of the requirement for a new hall following the demolition of the old Town Hall? SC explained that the replacement of the hall was never a feature of the Centre Court development. The view at the time was that a replacement was not needed - at least not of a civic hall as such. It was seen as a bit of a burden, too large and too expensive to maintain. However as regards the current proposal, GLA cultural office a broadly supportive of the new hall venture. What is the contingency position? LBM would still like to see a civic hall on the site - may offer the site to the market with a Hall or equivalent facility as part of a planning brief for the site. Important considerations are social aspects. Who draws up the brief? Will follow Tibbalds Munro study but include a process of consultation. Could Wimbledon Civic Forum help with this process? LBM will consider.

Station - SWTrains have won a new 20 year franchise - the government chose the cheaper option, however there will be further improvements - one issue was the construction of a fleet of new trains - serviced at the Southampton end of the line. Potentially the depot at Wimbledon park will become a development opportunity.

Licensed premises. Entertainments licences granted for ‘Life’ site of old Comet Warehouse in the Broadway, ‘Edwards’ on site of old petrol station in Hartfield Road, and All Bar One - Wimbledon Hill Road, all granted. SC pointed out entertainments licensing is only a very small part of the process of permitting new licensed premises - the important decisions are taken by planning and the Licensing Magistrates