Submission of Merton’s Core Strategy

Following pre-submission publication in August-September 2010, Merton’s Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on 18th November 2010. The Core Strategy is the key policy document in Merton’s LDF and sets out the spatial strategy for the borough over the next 15 years. The Strategy has been prepared over a number of years in close consultation with Merton’s communities and delivery partners.

In addition to the Core Strategy, the council has submitted a number of core documents to the Secretary of State, including:

· Core Strategy submission document (pre-submission representations August-September 2010)
· Sustainability Appraisal – Submission Report
· Core Strategy submission document including proposed minor changes for consideration by the Inspector (November 2010)
· Schedule of representations received with suggested minor changes added (CS pre-submission publication Aug-Sep)
· Schedule of representations received at Core Strategy pre-submission publication Aug-Sep
· Consultation Statement (Regs 25 & 28)
· Soundness Self Assessment (PAS toolkit)
· Legal Compliance Self Assessment (PAS toolkit)
· Statement of Common Ground NHS (October 2010)
· Merton Council consultation: primary school places and future strategy October- November 2010)
· A Place for every child, education in Merton 2010
· Merton Partnership Infrastructure and Investment Board – terms of reference
· Critical Friend report 06 April 2010 David Lock Associates
· Critical friend – note of PINS frontloading visit 2010

Along side these documents we also submitted all comments received during pre-submission consultation, and other relevant supporting documents. These and a full schedule of documents which have influenced the Core Strategy are available on our website at www.merton.gov.uk/living/planning/planningpolicy/ldf/core_strategy

Documents can also be viewed at Merton Link in the Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX (opening times from 9-5 Monday to Friday); or in Mitcham, Morden, Wimbledon, and Raynes Park libraries. Please note that library opening times may vary and details are available via Merton Council’s website www.merton.gov.uk/libraries.

The Examination

The public hearings for the Core Strategy Examination are scheduled to take place in early February 2011 and will be held at the Civic Centre in Morden. The actual dates will not be finalised until the week commencing 13 December. Our website will be updated with further information and the Examination timetable when it becomes available.

Inspector Linda Wride has been appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct the Examination in Public (EiP). The Inspector will study the policies and ensure that we have considered your views and followed national guidance. The Inspector will then decide whether Merton’s Core Strategy is acceptable. If so, the Core Strategy can then be adopted by Merton Council as part of the new planning framework for the borough.

A Programme Officer has been appointed in order to coordinate and administer the Examination process. If you have requested to participate in the Examination, either in person or through a written representation, you will receive further details including the timetable and procedural information.

In the meantime please don’t hesitate to contact us by replying to this e-mail or using the details below.

Kind regards

Spatial Planning Team
London Borough of Merton
London Road
Morden SM4 5DX

Tel: 020 8545 3041
Fax: 020 8545 3326
E-mail: ldf@merton.gov.uk