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Chaiman's Blog - June 2025

RAINBOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

Station Approach, Raynes Park Station 

Members of the Committee went to the public consultation held by Fairview New Homes Limited which is purchasing the Rainbow Industrial Estate.   This is the estate accessed by a single road off the corner of Grand Drive by Raynes Park station. It is bounded by railway lines on all sides. 

In 2014 another developer was granted planning permission to demolish the existing buildings and to construct 224 residential units, as well as a limited amount of light industrial units. As part of the scheme a “kiss and ride” drop off facility had to be created by the station entrance. 

The light industrial units were completed in 2019, but the drop-off scheme has only been partly implemented.  

The residential units were never started, and the planning permission for these has now lapsed. The developers intend to lodge a new planning application with Merton shortly in the hope of a decision later this year. 

The scheme presented at the public consultation suggested an increase in the number of residential units from the permission granted in 2014 from 224 to 270, and a consequent increase in the height of the central buildings. There would be 7 apartment blocks.  Some of these would be shared ownership and housing association units. There would be 10 town houses along the entrance road. 

The kiss and ride scheme would be completed as a condition of the permission.  We were told that there would be very limited car parking on site for the residents, given its proximity to public transport. 

A major drawback to the scheme is the single access road in and out of the site, and the fact that it joins Grand Drive and Approach Road at a very busy corner both for vehicles and pedestrians. Also, as ever with these schemes, there will doubtless be inadequate financial provision made for the increases needed in medical and care services. 

When the application is formally lodged, we will submit our concerns. 

John Elvidge, Chairman