Merton Character Study interactive map

Adoption of the Merton Borough Character Study SPD

The Character Study SPD was adopted by the Council on 22 June 2021

Merton Character Study 2021 (high resolution 140 MB)

Merton Character Study 2021 (low resolution 25 MB)

Merton Character Study 2021 Appendix 1: Baseline mapping (110 MB) ,

Merton Character Study 2021 Appendix 2: Detailed consultation summary (25 MB) 

Adoption statement for Character Study SPD

Agenda and Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting

About Merton Character Study

Merton Character Study describes the physical form of the borough, its history, places, streets and buildings. This analysis helps to provide an understanding of the particular attributes which make the borough of Merton what it is today, and draws out the identity of each neighbourhood within the borough. This process of understanding character is important as it illustrates the distinctiveness across the borough and how these local qualities should inform future approaches to managing growth and change.

This study has been prepared to assist the council, community groups, stakeholders and others with an interest in the borough to better understand Merton’s distinctive local character. It is an update to the Borough Character Study undertaken between 2011 and 2015.

The Character Study will support preparation of the Council’s New Local Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and be used to inform a character and 'place-based' approach to managing growth in the borough. Similarly, neighbourhood forums will be able to draw on this study to assist with the preparation of their neighbourhood plans. The report will also inform decisions made by council officers and should be an important tool used by developers and others investing in Merton to ensure proposals positively respond to the local context.

The SPD provides more detail to relevant policies in our Local Plan and does not introduce new policies.

Consultation 2021

The Character Study has been informed by extensive consultation with local residents and stakeholders, with over 450 people participating in the consultation. Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation on the draft Character Study, which took place between 9 February and 23 March 2021.

Character Study consultation responses

Character Study consultation report

Consultation draft

You can download the full document or individual chapters.

Borough Character Study 2011-2015

The borough character study carried out between 2011 and 2015 highlights Merton's specific characteristics and the local issues which development and environmental improvements could address.

This study remains incomplete and, unlike the 2021 Character Study, it does not include all of the neighbourhoods in Merton.