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Rainbow Industrial Estate planning brief

Following the feedback from public consultation in 2012, the council undertook the production of the Rainbow planning brief. The brief was adopted  on 16 August 2013 as a supplementary planning document to Merton's Core Planning Strategy 2011. It will inform any planning applications that are received for the site.

Rainbow Industrial Estate - adopted supplementary planning document

Sustainability appraisal of the Rainbow Industrial Estate planning brief

Adoption statement - Rainbow industrial estate supplementary planning document

Thanks to the people and organisations who commented on the Rainbow planning brief (until 20 July 2013)

Comments received on the Rainbow planning brief (July 2013)

The final brief was considered by Merton's Borough Plan Advisory Committee at a meeting on 01 August 2013. The Committee recommended the brief's adoption, subject to a number of changes; these are set out in the notes of the meeting which can be found by following the link below.

Borough Plan Advisory Committee meeting of 01 August 2013

Options for the site

The council undertook another review of land use options for the site in the context of the background for the site and the latest planning policy position, nationally and locally.

Background to the site and review of development options

Urban design and the public realm

Two workshops were held focussing on design issues relating to the site. These were attended by representatives from residents associations and local businesses neighbouring the site. The council has also conducted a study of the urban character of the wider Raynes Park area and the site itself. these findings have been combined into a report which has informed the final planning brief.

Rainbow Industrial Estate -achieving good design

Transport assessment

The council carried out another transport assessment of the site and its surrounds including:

  • vehicle and pedestrian movement and parking assessments along Grand Drive, Approach Road, at the Rainbow entrance, entering the Rainbow site beyond the railway bridge, parking outside the Former Station House, pedestrians using the pelican crossing, walking across the site entrance, through the Cattle Arch and other movements in the area
  • assessment of parking and travel patterns in London, in Raynes Park using Census data, findings from other existing sites
  • assessment of alternative access to and from the site

Rainbow industrial estate - access assessment

Rainbow industrial estate - transport report

Review of site viability

The council commissioned an independent review of the initial assessment  of the viability of the proposals. The full viability report is commercially confidential; the report below summarises the independent review findings

Summary of viability review

Earlier consultation on the future of Rainbow Industrial Estate - closed on 25 July 2012

This consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded.

Consultation responses on the draft Rainbow industrial estate

We were consulting on outline proposals for the redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate as an employment-led mixed-use development . If agreed, following consultation, it will become a formal planning document.

Workspace Group has owned and managed Rainbow Industrial Estate in Raynes Park for the last 20 years. In conjunction with the local community they have been considering potential options for an employment-led mixed-use proposal for the site.

They have outlined their ideas to us, and the consultation asked for your feedback on the initial proposals.

The draft development brief in outline proposes to:

  • Double the numbers of jobs on the site by providing new business floorspace
  • Reduce the traffic impact of the site, reducing movements to and from the site, and greatly reducing HGV proposals
  • Provide new sustainable homes, including affordable and family homes
  • Reconfigure  the southern approach to Raynes Park station to deliver a new Kiss & Ride as set out in the Raynes Park Enhancement Plan.
  • Improve biodiversity in courtyards and gardens for residents and workers
  • Promote sustainability through onside renewables, sustainable urban drainage systems and promotion of sustainable modes of transport.

Consultation documents

Contact us

Future Merton
12th floor, Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden SM4 5DX

Telephone 020 8545 3837 / 020 8545 4141

email: ldf@merton.gov.uk