Campaigners Alert: 249-Home Mitcham Redevelopment Could Lead to Increased Tall Buildings in the Borough

Merton Council has chosen not to comment on a correspondence from a community group in Mitcham, which is urging for an urgent reassessment of its planning policies in light of the recent approval for the contentious 249-home redevelopment at Majestic Way. The Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage (MCGCH) group has expressed concerns that the implications of the decision made on 30th July extend far beyond Mitcham itself, cautioning that it may set a precedent for the construction of tall buildings in areas of the borough not designated for such developments.

This letter follows the council’s endorsement of Clarion Housing’s proposal to transform the vacant Morrisons site and its car park on Majestic Way, situated centrally in Mitcham. The redevelopment is set to provide 249 affordable homes in structures reaching up to 11 storeys, the tallest in the area, along with new commercial and community spaces, with completion anticipated by 2029. Clarion has asserted that this project will bolster the local high street and contribute to addressing the pressing housing demands within the borough, which currently has over 10,000 households on the social housing waiting list.

Concerns Over Local Plan Compliance

However, opposition groups, including MCGCH and the Mitcham Society, argue that this approval is at odds with the council’s Local Plan, which stipulates design parameters, including restrictions on the height and scale of new buildings. Following the planning meeting, MCGCH secretary Tony Burton lamented the decision, stating, “It is a sad day. By disregarding their own Local Plan, councillors have left the entirety of Merton vulnerable to developers’ aspirations for erecting tall structures.”

In a letter addressed to Merton Council leader Ross Garrod, MCGCH conveyed their dismay at the decision, recalling Garrod’s prior assertion that any plans for Majestic Way should align with the objectives of the Local Plan, emphasising the importance of high-quality design that respects the area’s character and heritage. The group warned that the rationale provided for permitting a tall building in a location not designated for such developments implies that large portions of the borough could be subject to ambitious proposals for tower blocks.

Call for an Emergency Review

MCGCH condemned the recent approval as a “betrayal” of the extensive seven-year collaborative effort by officers, councillors, and residents to develop the Local Plan. They are now urging the council to undertake an emergency review, stressing that the plan must be reinforced to ensure that tall buildings are only sanctioned in designated areas. Furthermore, they advocate for planning officers to implement the policies as intended. “If we cannot trust that a Local Plan signifies what it states, we cannot engage in providing feedback on planning applications with any level of assurance,” the letter stated.

The group also highlighted that the recent decision has eroded public confidence in the planning process and is likely to deter residents from participating in future public consultations. “The process has lost its credibility,” the letter asserts. MCGCH further criticised the conduct of the previous week’s meeting, alleging that much of the discussion revolved around negotiating planning conditions before councillors had even determined whether to approve the development in principle. “This conveyed a clear impression that consent was presumed prior to the decision being made,” they added.

Impact on Public Trust in Planning

In their concluding remarks, MCGCH cautioned that this decision could have enduring ramifications for public trust in the planning system. “Public faith is already a limited resource and is now at risk of being entirely depleted. We urge you to offer the necessary reassurance and initiate actions to prevent this outcome.” Despite the community group’s appeal for reform and their active involvement throughout the planning process, they have yet to receive a response to their correspondence. The Labour-led council has also declined to provide comments when approached for clarification regarding their stance.

The demolition of the existing Majestic Way site is projected to commence in February 2027, with the entire project expected to reach completion by 2029. For those interested in viewing planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications, and more in their locality, they can enter their postcode or visit the Public Notice Portal for further information.