The Development and Planning Applications Committee of Merton Council met on Thursday 18 June 2026, approving a new mixed-use development at 70 Christchurch Road, Colliers Wood, and a pair of semi-detached houses at 39 Florence Avenue, Morden. The committee also granted permission for significant upgrades to Raynes Park Sports Ground and agreed to confirm an Article 4 Direction concerning Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across 13 wards.

70 Christchurch Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2PB

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of the existing building at 70 Christchurch Road, Colliers Wood, and its replacement with a five-storey mixed-use development. The proposal includes two commercial units on the ground floor and nine self-contained apartments above. The design features brickwork with zinc cladding on the upper levels, and the staggered height of the building is intended to reduce its visual impact.

Concerns were raised by local residents and ward councillors regarding the building's height, scale, and potential impact on natural light, parking, traffic, and the loss of heritage. Councillor Caroline Cooper Marbella highlighted existing parking pressures in Christchurch Close and the potential for increased vehicle movements due to the commercial units. Councillor Joanna Sherejinska expressed concerns about overshadowing, the building being out of keeping with the area, and the loss of character and green space, which could exacerbate local flooding issues.

Planning officers noted that the existing building was no longer listed and that the private garden space did not constitute public open space, therefore there were no grounds to prevent demolition. They considered the design to be high quality and to optimise the site's potential, contributing to housing targets. The development was recommended for approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement, which would include a financial contribution towards affordable housing (£11,552), a carbon offset contribution (£18,382.17), and restrictions on car parking permits.

39 Florence Avenue, Morden, SM4 6EX

Permission was granted for the demolition of the existing bungalow at 39 Florence Avenue, Morden, and its replacement with two three-bedroom semi-detached houses. The revised design, which addressed initial concerns, features a two-storey structure with accommodation in the roof space, brickwork, and a tiled roof. Each house will have a private rear amenity space of approximately 99-104 sqm and one off-street parking space.

Objectors, including residents and ward councillors Peter McCabe and Caroline Charles, raised concerns about overdevelopment, harm to local character, loss of light, noise from air source heat pumps, parking and access issues, cumulative construction impacts, and the loss of bungalow housing. Councillor McCabe highlighted the increasing number of developers in the area and the detrimental impact on residents' wellbeing. Councillor Charles expressed concerns about the potential for the properties to be used as HMOs or short-term lets, impacting community cohesion.

The applicant, Anthony Williams, stated the proposal was for a family and that measures were in place to manage construction disruption and parking. Planning officers confirmed that the design met minimum space standards and that any future conversion to an HMO would require full planning permission due to an existing Article 4 Direction. The decision to grant permission was subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement, including a carbon offset contribution (£4,317.19), an affordable housing contribution (£30,000), and a requirement for the development to be a self-build property for three years. Additional conditions were imposed regarding a working method statement, removal of permitted development rights for HMOs, a 12-month timeframe for commencing development, a public realm survey, and ensuring air source heat pumps meet regulatory requirements.

Raynes Park Sports Ground, Taunton Avenue, Raynes Park

The committee granted permission for the installation of new all-weather sports facilities at Raynes Park Sports Ground. The development includes a synthetic turf hockey pitch with floodlighting and fencing, four covered and floodlit padel courts, three artificial cricket wickets, and a no-dig woodland path. The hours of use will be extended to 07:00-22:00 on Mondays to Saturdays and 08:00-18:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the impact on parking, Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), noise, dust, light pollution, traffic, and the cumulative impact of development. Dr. Jack Sugro, speaking on behalf of residents, argued that the proposal was an aggressive commercial over-intensification of public and MOL, with misleading claims about tree shielding from floodlights and flawed transport assessments. He also highlighted the devastation of MOL and the potential for noise from padel courts.

Paul Knowles, representing The Wimbledon Club, stated that the club was a community amateur sports club committed to inclusive sport and that the development was fundamental to the site's economic viability. He highlighted the club's investment in the pavilion, discounts for local residents, and free/discounted use for local charities and state schools.

Sport England withdrew its objection after amendments were made, including the removal of floodlighting from grass pitches and adjustments to cricket pitch dimensions and orientation. The Football Foundation and Rugby Football Union (RFU) still had concerns regarding pitch dimensions and community use agreements, while the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) maintained its objection due to non-compliance with cricket pitch standards. The decision was subject to a Section 106 agreement securing financial contributions for widening access from Taunton Avenue (£35,000 towards CPZ review), and the provision of cycle hire parking. Numerous conditions were imposed, including those related to security, materials, surface treatment, boundary treatment, refuse storage, noise management, lighting, construction times, air quality, tree protection, urban greening, biodiversity, and a community use agreement.

Confirmation of an Immediate Article 4 Direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in 13 Wards

The committee was updated on the progress of confirming an immediate Article 4 Direction for small HMOs across 13 wards in Merton. This direction, which came into effect on 24 March 2026, requires planning permission for all new HMOs in these wards. A public consultation on making the direction permanent was ongoing and due to close on 19 June 2026. Tara Butler, Deputy Head of Regeneration and Economy, reported that over 40 responses had been received, with the majority supporting the proposal, while five objections, primarily from the landlord sector, had been lodged. The committee was asked to advise Cabinet and Full Council on whether to confirm the direction. The report noted that the council would be liable for compensation claims for a year if planning permission were refused for developments that would have been permitted development without the Article 4 Direction. The committee agreed to note the report.

The meeting also included the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting and a brief farewell to Jonathan Berry, Head of Development Management and Building Control, who was leaving after four years of service.