How many planning applications has London Borough of Merton received?

London Borough of Merton received 1,110 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 79%.

How long does London Borough of Merton take to decide planning applications?

London Borough of Merton takes an average of 60 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for London Borough of Merton?

London Borough of Merton approves 79% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in London Borough of Merton?

To object to a London Borough of Merton planning application, you must submit your representation to London Borough of Merton during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the London Borough of Merton planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a London Borough of Merton planning decision?

Yes. If London Borough of Merton refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 686 appeals were lodged against London Borough of Merton decisions in the last 24 months, with a 31% success rate.

London Borough of Merton Planning Applications

Q: How do I search London Borough of Merton planning applications?

You can search London Borough of Merton planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the London Borough of Merton area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore London Borough of Merton planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the London Borough of Merton planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: London

About London Borough of Merton

The London Borough of Merton, established in 1965, is a vibrant area in London formed by merging the Municipal Borough of Mitcham, the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon, and the Merton and Morden Urban District. With a rich history and diverse communities, Merton offers a variety of planning opportunities for developers and residents alike, making it an important area for anyone researching planning applications in London.

Governance

Founded: 1 April 1965

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to London Borough of Merton, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for London Borough of Merton
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in London Borough of Merton mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: Merton
Parliamentary constituency: Wimbledon
LSOA: Merton 009A

Crime Statistics

466 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 123
anti-social-behaviour: 93
shoplifting: 73
public-order: 44
other-theft: 43
vehicle-crime: 34
bicycle-theft: 11
drugs: 10
robbery: 10
burglary: 8
theft-from-the-person: 8
possession-of-weapons: 4
other-crime: 3
criminal-damage-arson: 2

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in London Borough of Merton.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for London Borough of Merton based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in London Borough of Merton

14 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the London Borough of Merton area.

Monitoring Stations

5 flood monitoring stations near London Borough of Merton.

Kingston (River Thames)
Beddington Park (River Wandle)
Trowlock Island (River Thames)
Hackbridge (River Wandle)
Ewell (Hogsmill River)

A brief summary of London Borough of Merton

The London Borough of Merton area recorded 466 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Conservation Areas

There are 28 designated conservation areas within the London Borough of Merton area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Kenilworth Avenue, Lambton Road, Dennis Park Crescent, Drax Avenue, Dunmore Road, Bertram Cottages, Wimbeldon Broadway, Wimbledon Windmill, John Innes (Wilton Crescent), Wimbledon Hill Road, and 18 more.

The council area encompasses 14 towns and villages, including Merton, Mitcham and Morden. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search London Borough of Merton Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for London Borough of Merton. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the London Borough of Merton area. Unlike the official London Borough of Merton planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking London Borough of Merton planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across London Borough of Merton.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 1,110 planning applications London Borough of Merton received. Of these, 79% were approved, with an average decision time of 60 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile in London Borough of Merton.

At 60 days on average, decisions in London Borough of Merton slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in London Borough of Merton were full planning applications (353), tree works (310), outline applications (232). Full planning applications account for 32% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 14 large-scale (major) developments, 21 medium-scale applications, 945 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

686 planning appeals were lodged against London Borough of Merton decisions, of which 194 were allowed and 430 were dismissed (31% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 393 applications
Refused: 62 applications
Withdrawn: 42 applications
Awaiting decision: 613 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.