Merton (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Morden residents voice frustration as the long-promised town centre regeneration in Merton faces another setback, with completion now unlikely before the 2040s.
Many residents are skeptical that the promised changes will ever come to pass, despite Merton Council recently approving a new start for its long-awaited plans after years of repeated delays.
“People are not stopping here; there is nothing to keep them here,”
he added. While vaunted for its excellent Tube and bus connections, Morden has long been seen as a place to pass through rather than a destination in itself.
Due to the heavy volume of inbound traffic and the congested one-way system that passes through the town center, both locals and tourists believe the region has grown excessively crowded.
“I feel like I’m always waiting to cross the road around here,”
a regular commuter told the LDRS.
Places for London, TfL’s real estate company, owns a large portion of the town center. The focal point is the Charles Holden-designed Tube station, which attracts sizable commuting numbers each day. Nonetheless, a lot of people think the area surrounding the station has to be improved for pedestrians and made a more pleasant spot to hang out.
Anil added:
“People come out of the station, and then they disappear. I am not saying we should build something like King’s Cross, but I am sure they could make a nice space in front of the station.”
A number of residents and visitors also criticised the lack of variety in Morden’s shops.
“We also need more things like proper bakeries,”
Anil said.
“The council should have more power to decide what kind of places we have here.”
Samuel Thompson, a Morden resident for 30 years, highlighted how narrow pavements near the train station can lead to significant congestion.
“The bus stop by the entrance to the station gets so crowded that it’s hard to get past people. They usually let you through, but more space is definitely needed,”
he said.
Others, like Raj Beeharry of Morden Dry Cleaners, which has been opposite Merton Civic Centre for 20 years, feel the congestion is one of the town’s biggest drawbacks. He said:
“The transport is great, but there is so much congestion around here. I see people about to fight in the road because it’s that busy.”
With an ambitious town centre revitalization plan, Merton Council has been working to address these concerns for more than 20 years. The council’s headquarters are located in the majestic Merton Civic Centre, Morden’s main feature.
To revitalize the region for local companies and residents, the council recently announced a reset of its long-awaited revitalization plans. With the assistance of a private sector development partner, the plans call for establishing a thriving new neighborhood, drawing in investment, and constructing high-quality, reasonably priced residences.
“Labour is rehashing ancient promises in the hope residents will fall for it. They finally pledged to find a regeneration partner back in 2019, but nothing came of it, and they have left Morden in limbo ever since.”
Anthony Fairclough, Leader of Merton Lib Dems, criticised the council’s handling of the project, also noting that their 2019 plans promised a private development partner and completion by 2029. He warned that the latest proposals are likely to push that timeline further back due to the absence of a committed developer.
“We don’t seem to be any further forward under these plans,”
he told the LDRS.
“It just feels like a relaunch of the same promises when, in reality, they just need to get on and do something.”
On Abbotsbury Road, more improvements have been made, such as improved benches, planting, and signage. Many, nevertheless, believe that these adjustments don’t deal with the town’s more significant problems.
The two-story Peel House parking structure, which is situated behind the main Sainsbury’s, is one of the town’s most urgent issues. Although the parking lot has long been a vital resource for the town center, its upper level has been closed for a number of years because of safety concerns.
The LDRS is aware that before any reconfiguration work can start, the council and TfL, the owner of the parking lot, must come to an agreement. Only the bottom level is still open to the public in the interim.
Morden depends on a dedicated Town Centre Manager, in contrast to Wimbledon, which is adjacent and has a Business Improvement District.
A Merton Council spokesperson said:
“We’re ready to drive forward these exciting development plans for Morden town centre, for the benefit of residents and local businesses. We understand that Morden’s regeneration has been talked about for some time but, with a renewed ambition and fresh leadership, we are now in a great position to deliver this transformational programme.
With Cabinet’s agreement, Merton Council will work with a private sector development partner to realise the vision for Morden, informed by community feedback, to fulfil the area’s huge potential for growth and opportunity. In the meantime, we’re investing this year to brighten and refresh Morden town centre as part of our Meanwhile Action Plan with vibrant new artwork, better seating and lighting, more community events and greenery, and by transforming underused spaces.
Morden is full of promise, and we are determined to deliver on its development.”
How can residents voice objections or proposals to the council?
Include a letter of objection to the planning department of the Council within your planning objection. Highlight particular concerns regarding traffic, the environment, local infrastructure or amenities, or breaches of planning policies, etc.
Objections should be clear, concise and deal only with material planning considerations.
Most Councils will publish planning application details, and any deadlines, on their website as well as through a planning portal through which comments can be made.
Residents can ask to address the Committee (or the Planning Committee) in most cases, particularly when they are objecting to a proposal that has been recommended for approval. However, this practice usually comes with strict time restrictions and may also require pre-booking.