Comments submitted on the planning application 16/P1208 by Apostles resident Giles Bailey:

“Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the new proposals for the former Manuplastics site on Kingston Road.

In summary, the new proposals are an improvement over the former proposed misuse of such a prominent and important site as a storage business in the midst of the Apostles neighbourhood. Such a major development will inevitably raise a number of concerns, but a well-designed residential scheme with commercial uses along Kingston Road that will reinforce the vitality of the street and make it more useful for all of the local residents is, in theory, an improvement. The proposed design is also broadly contemporary in design and in keeping with much of the streetscape in the rest of the community.

Concerns exist, however.

• The community consultation event held in December 2015 was weak as it was poorly promoted and announced, it seems, at short notice. I’m sure that many interested local residents are still not aware of the full new proposals for the site.

• The documentation, although discussing the mix and design of the proposed housing, says there will be no “affordable” housing (Merton’s planning rules suggest 40% should be in a development of this size). While it is good to see a mix of one bedroom units with large family sized units, there appears to be no promises in the application about the price points of the units, or whether any would be rental. This is unacceptable and the London housing crisis is real and requires immediate action. As a policy, Merton must insist on the widespread provision of affordable housing in new developments. The developers need to reconsider how this issue can be dealt with and affordable housing accommodated within the site.

• I would like to see some of the Community Infrastructure Levy from this site used to improve some pressing issues in the local area:

– The junction of Burstow Rd/Kingston Rd/Lower Downs Rd is inefficiently designed and extremely unsafe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians – and we have raised this before. Some of the funds from the development should be used to improve this junction.

– The planting along the rest of Kingston Rd, as well as for the provision of an improved cycle lane all along the street from the station to Lower Downs Road, at least, should be addressed.

• It is good to see that some car parking will be provided – so as to avoid pressure on street parking in the rest of the Apostles as well as the location of the proposed parking so as to minimise the impact on the rest of the pedestrian realm. However, will car ownership/use on the site be restricted for both residents and commercial uses in order to prevent an overspill of demand onto the adjacent streets? Furthermore, will car clubs or electric charging points be provided? The large amount of cycle parking for residents as well as commercial users is noted and appreciated.

• Can a more sympathetic surface treatment be used on the north side of the buildings in order to improve the appearance of the development for the residents on the north side of the railway?”

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