Planning Permission in Merton
London Borough in London · Last updated April 2026
Merton is a south-west London borough covering Wimbledon, Mitcham, Morden and Raynes Park. The borough is home to the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the annual Wimbledon Championships, which significantly influence local planning policy — including a specific Article 4 direction controlling temporary structures during the tournament. With 28 conservation areas, 242 listed buildings and over 950 hectares of Metropolitan Open Land (26% of the borough), Merton balances suburban character with strategic development along the Northern Line corridor.
Merton adopted its new Local Plan 2024-2037/38 in November 2024, replacing the Core Planning Strategy (2011) and Sites and Policies Plan (2014). The plan introduces a tall buildings policy (D12.6) for the first time and updated policies for householder extensions (D12.4) and basement development (Chapter 8). The PlanWimbledon neighbourhood forum was designated in 2021 but has not yet adopted a neighbourhood plan. Major regeneration focuses on Morden town centre (approximately 2,000 new homes in partnership with TfL) and the AELTC expansion approved in October 2023.
Householder pre-application advice costs £250 (Category D) for a 15-minute virtual meeting arranged within 3 working days. Merton also offers a free duty planner telephone service (Monday to Friday, 1pm-3pm) for general planning queries. The council operates a fast-track service for householder applications (£1,000 extra for a guaranteed 30-day decision, 46 days in conservation areas). With an approval rate of 85.2% and an HDT score of 89% (triggering a 20% buffer on housing supply), Merton processes most householder applications through delegated powers (99.5%).
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What can I build in Merton?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Conservation area restrictions — John Innes (Merton Park) and John Innes (Wilton Crescent), HMO — Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton, Pollards Hill) | Conservation areas (e.g. Kenilworth Avenue, Lambton Road, Dennis Park Crescent), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Merton outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties in Article 4 areas or near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Merton (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Merton's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Merton
Permitted development rights in Merton follow the national framework but are restricted in the borough's 28 conservation areas, where side extensions, cladding, satellite dishes and other external alterations require planning permission. The Basement and Subterranean SPD (2017) sets additional requirements for underground development, including structural methodology statements and safe escape routes to upper floors in flood zones. Article 4 directions remove PD rights in the John Innes conservation areas (extensions, alterations, crossovers), five employment/town centre locations (Class MA office-to-residential conversion), and seven southern wards (HMO conversion). A further Article 4 direction in North Wimbledon requires planning permission for marquees and temporary structures during the Championships. From April 2025, householder applications cost £528, with LDC (proposed) at £264.
What Merton expects from your project
Merton's design framework is anchored by the Borough Character Study SPD (2021), informed by consultation with over 450 people, and the Basement and Subterranean SPD (2017). Additional guidance includes the Small Sites Toolkit SPD (2021) for sites of 0.25ha or less, the FutureWimbledon Design Guide SPD (2020) for the town centre, and the Climate Change Planning Guidance (2024). The council's Design Review Panel was renewed in 2025 with 46 new members from January 2026. While Merton has no Green Belt, extensive Metropolitan Open Land — including Wimbledon Common (460 hectares, protected by Act of Parliament) — is afforded the same level of policy protection as Green Belt under the London Plan.
Local design guidance
Merton Design Guide (SPG)
Local Plan: Merton Local Plan
The Merton Local Plan was adopted in July 2014, comprising the Core Planning Strategy and the Sites and Policies Plan. The plan covers the south London borough including Wimbledon, Mitcham and Morden. The London Plan (2021) also applies.
Emerging / replacement plan
Merton is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Plan consultation ran in 2023-2024. Submission to the Planning Inspectorate is expected in 2025.
28 conservation areas
Merton has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
Conservation areas in Merton
28 designated conservation areas
Merton's 28 conservation areas include some of London's earliest designations: Wimbledon Village, Wimbledon West, John Innes (Merton Park) and Mitcham Cricket Green were all designated in 1968. The John Innes estates are particularly notable for their Arts and Crafts character and historic holly hedges, protected by one of the borough's oldest Article 4 directions (confirmed 1990). Other significant areas include Wimbledon Hill Road, South Park Gardens, Copse Hill and the Wandle Valley. Individual character appraisals and management plans exist for each conservation area. The borough has 242 statutory listed buildings including 3 Grade I and 11 Grade II* structures.
Article 4 directions in Merton
4 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Merton
There are 242 listed buildings in Merton. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Merton's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Merton received 1,208 planning applications and decided 1,179 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 85.2% is below the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Merton's 85.2% approval rate is slightly below the national average of 86.9%, reflecting the borough's strong conservation and design policies. The Housing Delivery Test score of 89% (2,183 homes delivered against a requirement of 2,447) triggers the 20% buffer and an action plan. CIL charges vary by zone: £359.92/sqm in Colliers Wood, Raynes Park and Wimbledon, and £188.14/sqm in Mitcham, Morden and West Barnes (2025 indexed rates). The Mayoral CIL adds £69.27/sqm (Band 2). Major development at Morden town centre and the AELTC Wimbledon expansion (new 8,000-seat stadium and 38 courts, subject to ongoing legal challenge) are the borough's largest current planning projects.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Housing delivery in Merton
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Merton delivered 2,183 homes against a requirement of 2,447 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 89%. This is below the 95% threshold, which means Merton must publish an action plan setting out how it intends to increase housing delivery. For homeowners, this is a positive signal — the council is under pressure to approve more housing, which can make planning officers more receptive to well-designed residential applications and extensions that add living space.
Lawful Development Certificates in Merton
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Merton that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Merton decided 828 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 94.6% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Merton
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Merton's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Merton must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Merton.
Pre-application advice in Merton
Merton offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £250 householder (Category D, 15-min virtual meeting); £500 residential annexes/1-99 sqm (Category D+); £1,800 for 1-4 units (Category C). You can typically expect a response within Meeting within 3 working days (householder); written advice within 20 working days (Category D+).
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
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Check your PD rights now →Planning fees and timelines in Merton
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | Single dwelling (April 2025) |
| LDC — proposed | £264 | 50% of householder fee |
| LDC — existing | £298 | Lawful not to comply with condition |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee |
| Prior approval (no building ops) | £120 | Increased from £120 (April 2025) |
| Discharge of conditions (householder) | £145 | Doubled from £43 (April 2025) |
| Non-material amendment (householder) | £44 | April 2025 fee |
| Pre-application (householder) | £250 | Category D, 15-min virtual meeting |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Merton and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Merton
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Merton is provided by Merton Council Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Merton planning department
Your building project checklist for Merton
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Merton has 28 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Merton has 4 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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