The applicant, Galliard Homes, submitted a planning application for the demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a 20,000 seat football stadium with 602 new homes, 1,273 square metres of retail space, 1,730 sq m for fitness facilities, associated landscaping and open space with parking for cars, coaches and bikes. The stadium will initially be built with 11,000 seats.
In 2014, Merton Council notified the mayor that a planning application of strategic importance had been made. According to a report prepared by the Greater London Authority (GLA), at the consultation stage, the London mayor advised the developer that "while the principle of the development was in general accordance with strategic and local planning policy, the application did not comply with the London Plan".
Following this advice, the developer revised the application in response to Johnson's concerns.
On 10 December 2015, the Council's planning committee meeting resolved to grant planning permission for the revised application. This resolution was subject to the London mayor deciding whether to call in the planning application.
According to the GLA's report, the proposed scheme was "considered acceptable in strategic terms" and "there are no sound reasons for the mayor to intervene in this particular case".
Earlier this month, the London mayor sent a letter to the Council to advise that he would be calling-in the application. The letter said that, because the scheme relates to a sporting venue in London and a significant number of new homes are proposed, the "development would have a significant impact on the implementation of the London Plan".
"There are sound planning reasons for [the mayor's] intervention, because of the scale and public representations received, which raise valid strategic planning matters regarding transport, housing, sports and cultural provision" said the letter.
Planning expert Marcus Bate of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: “The mayor’s decision to call-in this planning application contrary to officer recommendation highlights an important feature of the mayor’s planning intervention powers. The significance of the scheme is crucial to the call-in decision. The acceptability of that scheme should not be the sole determinative factor, albeit politically it is inevitable that such a factor may carry significant weight”.