Colliers Wood Sub Area Neighbourhoods

1

DRAFT 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

Origins and General shopping parade. Merantun Way cuts lifestyle forced her into debt. Despite Character through the neighbourhood to the east the efforts of a group of friends acting South Wimbledon neighbourhood is which together with Road as trustees, it was necessary to sell defined by the Tram line to encloses much of the large scale Merton Place. Much of the property the west, Merton Industrial Park to the industrial and commercial units in the was purchased by the Goldsmid family south and land formerly part of the area. Beyond the confluence of busy but the house itself remained empty estate known as Merton Place to the roads there are pockets of quiet and was finally demolished in 1823, north and east. Merton High Street is residential enclaves many of which are the estate was sold in lots adequate the commercial core and activity node well maintained examples of Victorian, for detached villas. Maps from 1865 in the area, the presence of the South Edwardian and Interwar terraces. show the area as largely farmland Wimbledon underground station dotted with some cottages or houses provides the main cue as to the Despite its current lack of focus or along Merton High Street. Central to identity of the area. clear identity the area is rich in local the area were the remnants of Merton history. The most notable building in Place then known as Nelson Fields 2 However the general perception of the area was Merton Place, a house which had been subdivided into South Wimbledon is not as a which was built on part of the old farmland prior to redevelopment into destination but as route through to estate during the 1750s; small scale housing. North of the High somewhere else, what was once a it had a number of owners until its Street the land remained undeveloped thriving high street now has the most famous residents Lord Nelson until the end of the century. Nelson appearance of a transition area into and Lady Hamilton. The estate Fields became covered over with long Wimbledon. This perception is consisted of 52 acres but most of the rows of cottages and other artisan compounded by the number of busy land was separated from the house dwellings and a skating rink which was roads which fragment the by a turnpike road (now Merton High later to become the Wimbledon Palais neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is Street) and to reach it the however was demolished in the 1990s. bisected horizontally by Kingston Road occupants had to use a tunnel under Many of the cottages were demolished running into Merton High Street with the road. Nelson expanded the estate and replaced by a local government shops or offices typical of transition to 160 acres with the purchase of housing initiative namely the High zones at ground floor facing onto the additional land south of his house until Path Estate which started in the early street and horizontally by the busy his Merton property covered most of 1950s.The name ‘Merton Place’ was Morden Road along which big box the area west of the Wandle and north given to a block of flats which covers retail and warehousing facilities are of and also included the site of the Admiral’s former concentrated. At Kingston Road there the whole of the area between Merton residence and many roads names is a narrowing of the road width, Road, South Park Road and Haydons such as Victory and Trafalgar in the although heavily congested with traffic Road. After Nelson’s death at area allude to this famous resident. it has a more defined neighbourhood Trafalgar, Lady Hamilton’s lavish Today the Nelson Arms built in 1910 is The Nelson Arms marks the site of the entrance gates into Merton Place Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

situated on the high street; it marks the Junction station (now station). site of the lodge and entrance gates Cutting through Nelson’s former estate to Nelson’s Merton Place. The pub and the site of Merton Abbey, Merton stands out on the street with its bold Abbey station was constructed to the signage lettering and is decorated with south of Station Road to serve the a unique series of murals by Garters industrial complex there. Industrial of Poole, depicting Lord Nelson and use in this area intensified through HMS Victory. Another building and the years particularly during the late space in memorial of Nelson is St John 1920s. the Divine and Nelson Gardens; the gothic style church was built adjacent Growth was stimulated and assisted to commemorative gardens in 1913/14 by the arrival of trams in Merton High to mark the anniversary of the death of Street in the first decade of the century Lord Nelson. and the opening of a new bus garage at the east end of Merton High Street 3 During the late 1800s an increasing in 1913. By 1916 to the west of the number of shops appeared along the neighbourhood rows of terraced Merton High Street and residential houses were developed which by the development intensified to the north in 1930s extended as far as Morden the form of terraced housing. Clusters Road. The combination of tram of housing and shops also appeared services and the extension of the to the south of the neighbourhood on Underground Electric Railways Morden Road. Merton High Street Company of ’s City & South became a busy shopping district, in London Railway through addition industry such as the Japan and South Wimbledon to Morden in and Varnish works developed to the 1926 destroyed demand for passenger south of the neighbourhood in close services on the Merton Abbey branch proximity to the Wandle River and line and these were ended in 1929. other industries which were Goods operations continued until 1975 established in the vicinity. In 1868, when the line was closed and tracks the Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon removed. Merantun Way was built Railway opened a branch line from along the former railway in the 1980s. the Wimbledon and Railway A notable building in the area is the between station (now cubic form of underground station The Nelson Arms marks the site of the entrance gates into ) and Tooting designed by Charles Holden, built in Merton Place South Wimbledon tube station Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

1926. It has a symmetrical composition houses with small front gardens laid on corner site which acts as focal point out in a grid. These terraces are on junction between Morden Road and predominantly in yellow London stock Merton High Street. There is also the brick with features such as half bays, Grade II listed Manor House originally red brick decorative dentils or lintels, built 1700s and a couple of locally arched recessed porch and raised listed buildings such as the Merton gable. To the west there is a loosely Hall and the old council offices from structured grid of Edwardian and the late 1800s which line the narrow Interwar residential terraces. These Kingston Road. terraces display a wider use of red brick, common motifs are gabled Industrial use intensified towards the double bays, external canopy porches, east of the area in the 1920s which is red brick capped raised gable, today known as the Merton Industrial decorative ridge tiles and timber 4 Park and Lombard Business Park. The beams on facades and or gable. area is bounded to the north by Merantun Way; it has a concentration Medium size blocks typically from the of industrial and commercial uses late Victorian to Edwardian period with which spills over across Morden Road retail or commercial use on ground to the Nelson Trading estate. Abutting floor front onto Merton High Street the Lombard Business Park in stark and Morden Road. At the centre of contrast is Deen City Farm. A relatively the area are larger linear blocks of the recent addition to the neighbourhood High Path Estate arranged around is the which opened in 2000. open space, these are typically Both Merton Park and Morden Road multi-storey residential tower blocks stops overlap the sites of former built in a modernist layout. Immediately railway stations which were served by to the south of the estate there is a mix passenger trains on the West Croydon of block shapes which denote to Wimbledon Line until 1997, and by commercial units backing onto trains via Tooting Junction on the Merantun Way. Towards the southeast Merton Abbey Branch until 1929. of the neighbourhood there is an enclave where there is a Built Form concentration of large blocks arranged Victorian terraces to the north and informally along access roads into the area. Goods yards occupy the voids west which are typically 2 storey Figure ground of South Wimbledon neighbourhood Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

between these blocks which vary in Notably the Salvation Army are located prevent heavy goods vehicles from playground and pavilion. A pleasant size. To the east a large void denotes in a building adjacent the Fire Station using this route. tree lined pedestrian pathway is the location of the Nursery Road on Kingston Road. Merton Abbey situated to the north of this space, at playing fields and Abbey recreation Primary school is located on the High Public transport links are good with the the western end there is a ground. Path. underground station located centrally concentration of informally planted linking the area to via trees and bushes.Off Morden Road, Land Use Movement the . The tramlink runs there is a pocket of tree lined green There is a variety of land uses evident The area is dominated by extremely along the western boundary with stops space in front of St. John the Divine in the neighbourhood, to the north, busy roads which subdivide the at Morden Road and Merton Park. Church namely Nelson Gardens there is predominantly residential and neighbourhood. Morden Road, which There are good pedestrian links across Recreation Ground was created on to the southeast, there is a vertically cuts the area in two, is a the area to these stops such as the a parcel of land donated by the great concentration of industrial / commercial road, which path along the playing fields towards nephew of Rear Admiral Isaac Smith, units. Residential accommodation leads into Merantun Way. Running Merton Park and the subway link to mark the centenary of Nelson’s under Morden Road. There are death. The site holds a ranges from 2 storey terraced houses horizontally is Kingston Road leading 5 to 12-storey tower blocks. Along into Merton High Street, which are part numerous bus routes running along commemorative plaque and a pair Morden Road, there are a number of of the London strategic road network. the main roads, which connect the of 12 pounder guns, once thought big box trade retail units, towards the From the junction at South Wimbledon neighbourhood to the wider area. to have adorned the lawn of Merton south of the High Path estate there is underground station there is Merton There are cycle routes in the area Place. a mix of commercial / industrial units Road which is a distributor road particularly along the High Path, which such as garages backing onto feeding traffic into Wimbledon town connects into the running To the southeast is Deen City Farm, Merantun Way. From Kingston to centre. The junction is heavily along the eastern boundary, it is a which is on the northern edge of Merton High Street, there is a strip of congested which causes noise and picturesque pedestrian and cycling Morden Hall Park, on the banks of shops, offices, pubs or commercial pollution. In addition, the width route along the Wandle River. the next to the Phipps premises with active frontage onto the dimensions of the road narrows along Currently there are plans to extend the Bridge estate. It is a 5-acre working street. There is a large open space Kingston Road, which causes cycling superhighway along Merton farm, which is home to a number located to the southwest of Morden congestion, the tramlink level crossing High Street. of animals. Adjacent to the eastern Road namely Nursery Road playing exacerbates this. Particularly off boundary is part of the Wandle Trail, fields and Abbey Recreation Ground. Merton High Street, a number of Open Space this particular section is a tree lined Nelson Gardens is located in front of residential streets are used as rat runs To the west of the area are two pedestrian/cycle link which runs St. John the Devine Church and at the such as Abbey Road, to the north adjacent green spaces, Nursery Road alongside the Wandle River, it a southeast of the area, there is Deen this has been curbed by use of traffic Playing Fields and Abbey Recreation tranquil route in stark contrast to the City farm. In addition to St. John the calming measures. Windsor Avenue in Ground which combined cover over 6 busy roads in the wider Devine Church on the High Path, there the industrial estate is also used as a hectares. Both are used for recreation neighbourhood. is Elim Pentecostal Church and Merton rat run into residential areas however and play host to facilities such as Evangelical Church on Grove Road. there are width restrictions in place to cricket wickets, football pitches,

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Analysis

General Neighbourhood Characteristics

Major movement corridor

Major barrier

Major Gateway

Minor Gateway SW1 SW2 SW4 Minor neighbourhood node

SW3 Local landmark SW5 Topography gradient 6 SW6 Positive Neighbourhood Characteristics

Key view to open space

SW7 Green open space

Significant landscape feature

Waterspace

Negative Neighbourhood Characteristics

SW Public realm enhancement needed

Neighbourhood node needing enhancement

Movement corridor needing enhancement South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Heritage Assets

Heritage map to be added at later stage 7 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Character Areas

1 Nelson Road

2 South Wimbledon Core

3 Mill Road

1 4 High Path Estate

5 Melbourne Road

2 3 6 Nursery Road Playing Fields

8 4 7 Merton Industrial Estate 5

6 7

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Character Areas Assessment, Issues and Guidance

9 1 Nelson Road Character Area Assessment

Character Statement exceptions such as Hamilton Road This area is characterised by streets of where there is a break in the terrace Criteria Based and a variety in motif and finish, this is late Victorian terraces to the north of Assessment Merton High Street, which were built perhaps due to staggered The qualitative attributes of each character on land formerly part of the Merton development of the street. On area are assessed by using the following Place estate. It is a quiet residential Hamilton Road examples of this are criteria: area with typical Victorian features. Rose Cottage which is set back from Identity street, it is a 2 storey classical Urban Layout Movement Houses are 2 storeys with small Georgian villa dating from 1813, Architectural Interest front garden and low boundary oblong in shape with low hipped Built Form wall,arranged in a grid layout pitched roof however it has not been Public Realm consistent with Victorian well maintained. Also set back from Trees Landscape developments. The predominant street line is a detached 3 storey Features t-shaped apartment block from the 10 palette of materials in use includes Economic Vitality yellow London stock brick, red brick 1920s in brown brick and cream decorative features such as lintels render with balconies and hipped roof. Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the and/or dentils under eaves or across character area is good, moderate or poor. facade, white render lintels and a On Quicks Road a building of note in The total score defines whether an number which have been pebble the area is ‘The Old Church’ which is a area is an: dashed. There are number of recurrent tall Victorian period church in red brick 1) Area of established high quality motifs in the area such as raised gable and stone which mixes classical and 2) Area with scope to reinforce the on party wall, half or double bay some gothic style, the building is currently existing character with mullions, recessed arched porch used as office accommodation. 3) Area requiring enhancement to and a number have gabled bays with reinforce identity timber beam decoration. Some of the terraces also have original ridge tiles. Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood Many of the original features on assessment map are located at the end terraces have been maintained of this chapter. however a number of properties have brickwork, which has been painted Overall Score: 70 over and have replaced original boundary wall. Area type:

Streets generally have a consistent Area with scope to reinforce the building line however; there are existing character Victory Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 1 Nelson Road Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Variety in quality of front boundary treatment and loss of boundary in places interrupts the cohesion of street scene. • Visual appearance of traffic calming schemes off Merton High Street on Hamilton through to Victory Road creates unpleasant streetscene.

Built Form: Nelson Road Hamilton Road • Addition of front porches or infilling of entrance canopies destroys architectural rhythm. • Changes to original materials such as windows, doors, roof tiles and painting over of brickwork eroding character of original properties. 11 • Alterations to front elevation of roofs such as dormer windows and roof lights. • Proliferation of satelite dishes on houses in some streets which creates visual clutter along the front elevation.

Guidance

Public Realm: • Retain existing front boundaries and landscape.

Built Form: Terracotta brick decoration on Hardy Road • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials. • Retain original doors and windows if present. Enhancement Project • Roof alterations should be subservient to the main roof and not disrupt the Cecil Road SW1: Improve traffic calming principal elevation. schemes on Hamilton Road through to Victory Road. Victory Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 2 South Wimbledon Core Character Area Assessment

Character Statement a disjointed appearance. Original 2 storeys in red or yellow brick with This character area comprises of a shopfront decorative features such as modest render or brick decoration and Criteria Based pilasters have been eroded or lost. linear strip of predominantly raised parapet. Shopfronts Assessment commercial premises facing onto The quality and cohesion of shop predominantly have a higher quality The qualitative attributes of each character Merton High Street, Kingston Road fronts varies along the street creating finish with cohesive signage and area are assessed by using the following and Morden Road. The core of the a disconnected appearance. There are original features have been criteria: area is focused around the intersection breaks in the building line where maintained. Along Kingston Road Identity buildings are set back from the street, there are further breaks in the Urban Layout of these 3 roads at a busy junction, Movement which is also the location of the Grade for example there are low terraced building line with detached buildings or Architectural Interest II listed tube station. There is a gradual houses which are part of the High set backs ranging from historic Built Form decrease in both the scale of Path estate which are set back from buildings to contemporary car Public Realm the road behind large grass area. The showrooms. This is interspersed with Trees building and road width from Merton Landscape High Street onto Kingston Road. 2 storey red brick terrace has wide terraced Edwardian houses with small Features sweeping gable features.Buildings of front gardens. Buildings of note include 12 Overall this area suffers from the Economic Vitality adverse effects of heavy traffic and is note on the high street include the the Grade II Manor house, which dates Nelson Arms a public house in red from the 1700s with weatherboarding Each criteria point is scored according to car dominated by heavy traffic flow. whether the contribution made to the brick with tiled façade, pronounced to one side, and later brick Georgian character area is good, moderate or poor. Merton High Street appears more as chimneystack, corner turret and unique façade. Merton Hall is a red/brown The total score defines whether an a transition zone with shops typical of set of murals. At the junction, the brick building from 1899 with stone area is an: Grade II listed tube station, which has detail clock tower. Also of note are the this, buildings are typically late 1) Area of established high quality Victorian or Edwardian 3 storey a grey cubic form, holds a prominent former council offices from 1900 in red 2) Area with scope to reinforce the shopping parades with shop fronts on corner position that is mirrored by the brick with carved stone detail and existing character ground floor and offices/residential red bank building with classical Palladian window. 3) Area requiring enhancement to reinforce identity accommodation above. Towards the embellishments. Buildings around the On Morden Road the road width east there is a contemporary parade junction have corner entrances and increases as does the building scale features such as the oriel window on with detached post war 4 storey blocks Character area assessment sheets with built in similar scale and style to the breakdown of score and neighbourhood older properties. The materials in use the former Grove Tavern building. in red brick. In contrast to the large assessment map are located at the end are red and yellow London stock brick scale concentrated around the tube of this chapter. some with render decoration. Towards the western end of Kingston station notably there is a terrace of 4 Recurrent details, which feature, are Road there is an minor neighbourhood modest cottages across from the High Overall Score: 70 dormer windows or mansard roofs. node centred around a local shopping Path Estate which date from the early At the eastern end of the high street, parade which is delineated to the west 1800s. These are 2 storey brick with Area type: there are many shop fronts, which by the tramline. The building scale sash windows, modest render Area with scope to reinforce the have been converted into residential decreases and shopping parades are decoration, distinctive arched ground existing character use; this creates a streetscape with more defined, these are generally floor windows and hipped roof.

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 2 South Wimbledon Core Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues Public Realm: • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic and pollution. • Pedestrian movement impeded by complicated junction arrangement and poorly defined crossing points. • Paving: paving slabs & tarmac, fragmented finish in places. • Lack of tree planting in places. Road width narrows on Kingston Road Smaller scale on Kingston Road Built Form: • Materials on buildings have been adversely affected by heavy traffic. • Loss of original features on building facades such as decorative parapet on Merton High Street breaks architectural rhythm of parades. • Infill development in materials unsympathetic to original properties and building line has been broken down in places with set backs. 13 • Loss of original shopfront features such as pilasters. • Variety in shopfront signage finishes and condition creates disjointed streetscene. Busy traffic on Merton High Street • Loss of active frontage onto street through the conversion of shops into Shopping parade Merton High Street residential use at ground floor. • Carpark adjacent to Grove Tavern is an unattractive void at a focal point in the neighbourhood which fragments South Wimbledon centre. Enhancement Project SW2: Improve pedestrian Guidance environment at Merton High Public Realm: Street junction • Enhance pedestrian environment by improving crossing points, paving materials and strengthen tree planting. Corner features at junction Investigate SW3: Built Form: redevelopment of carpark site • All alterations to properties or shop fronts to be informed by the original adjacent to Grove Tavern to detailing and materials. reinforce centre location. • New developments should be creatively designed to be sympathetic in SW4: Investigate terms of massing, materials and details to the older properties in the area. comprehensive shopfront • New developments should strengthen the street scene and link to the improvement scheme existing street layout. Particularly at South Wimbledon junction buildings should address this focal node.

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Bank building at junction on Kingston Road 3 Mill Road Character Area Assessment

Character Statement houses with distinctive raised curved Mill Road is an enclave of modest parapet, projecting double bay and Criteria Based arched entrance. These houses have cottages built during the Edwardian Assessment period to the southeast of Merton High modest render decoration; some have The qualitative attributes of each character Street, which back onto the Wandle been painted over and rendered with area are assessed by using the following River. It is quiet residential area pebbledash, which creates a disjointed criteria: located off the busy high street. appearance. There is some later infill Identity on the site of an old hall in Urban Layout Movement The tree lined streets are of a human Hillsborough Close, which has been Architectural Interest scale with terraces either side, houses informed by the local vernacular, it Built Form are 2 storeys with small front garden. consists of terrace in yellow brick with Public Realm There is a mix of materials in use such red brick decorative detail and arched Trees Landscape as red brick, yellow brick, painted recessed porch with half bay, the Features terrace is set back from street behind 14 render, pebbledash, red roof tiles and Economic Vitality tile hangings. There are 3 small grass area with low fence. predominant building styles evident, Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the the first style being terraces with Overall the Edwardian character of character area is good, moderate or poor. gabled double bays across which are most of the houses have been The total score defines whether an red tile hangings and subdivided maintained apart from the replacement area is an: panels on upper window panes, red of windows and a number have been 1) Area of established high quality brick on ground floor and render on painted over which breaks up the 2) Area with scope to reinforce the upper floors and canopy porch. The architectural rhythm of some streets. existing character second style are terraces in yellow The tight knit street pattern is in stark 3) Area requiring enhancement to brick with sash windows, square half contrast to the adjacent High Path reinforce identity bay with canopy extending across estate the towers of which are façade and render lintels over visible from the Mill Road area. The Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood windows. The third style has generally trees planted along streets and assessment map are located at the end been painted over and has distinctive vegetation along pedestrian path of this chapter. half bay with red tiled roof and arched behind Mill Road make a positive contribution to the street scene. recessed porch. Along Station Road Overall Score: 75 houses display motifs as described above but with longer front gardens. Area type: There are some exceptions such as a short terrace to the south of Abbey Area of established high quality Road, which comprises of 2 storey Dane Street Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 3 Mill Road Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Variety in front boundary treatment interrupts the cohesion of street scene.

Built Form: • Some changes to houses such as painting over of brickwork and addition of porches which erodes character of original properties.

Abbey Road Dane Road

Guidance 15 Public Realm: • Retain existing front boundaries and landscape.

Built Form: • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials Style 3 (arched recessed porch, red tiled half Style 1 (gabled double bay with red tile • Retain original doors and windows if present. bay on Mill Road hangings) on Mill Road • Roof alterations should be subservient to the main roof and not disrupt the principal elevation.

Style 2 (yellow brick, square half bay) on Croft Raised parapet on Abbey Road Road Dane Street Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 4 High Path Estate Character Area Assessment

Character Statement chimneys, trellis brickwork This area consists of a housing embellishments, external brick Criteria Based walkway and archways cut through development which was built between Assessment 1951-1977, after the clearance of central part of block to allow for The qualitative attributes of each character artisan cottages on land formerly part permeability through the area. Blocks area are assessed by using the following of the Merton Place estate. The are set back from hard-standing criteria: earliest part just north of St. Johns behind manicured grass strip with Identity Church consists of 4 storey towers tree planting. The later blocks around Urban Layout Movement arranged around courtyards. At the Hillsborough Close are typically built in Architectural Interest centre of the area are 3 high rise yellow brick with cantilevered Built Form towers and adjacent to Merton High balconies, external walkways and open Public Realm Street the scale gradually decreases external stairwells. Blocks are set back Trees Landscape down to 3 storey blocks and low from street behind grass strip with low Features fence and arranged around spaces 16 terraces. Detrimental to this area are Economic Vitality the poorly conceived public spaces of hard-standing and car-parking. On and poor legibility of parts of the Nelson Grove Road there are some Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the estate. contemporary 3 storey blocks in character area is good, moderate or poor. yellow brick with render panels and The total score defines whether an The overall estate was conceived steel balconies arranged in a triple area is an: using modernist design principles bay. This typology continues into Doel 1) Area of established high quality particularly the 3 high rise towers Close with blocks in either red or 2) Area with scope to reinforce the which dominate the skyline. The yellow brick. existing character prefabricated towers are arranged in a 3) Area requiring enhancement to row with adjacent car parking spaces Included in this area is St. John the reinforce identity and play area. The towers were built in Divine Church which was built in 1913 a mix of red and concrete which gives to commemerate Lord Nelson’s death, Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood a stripped appearance. The 12 storey it is in a gothic style with stained glass assessment map are located at the end towers are set back from the street by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward of this chapter. with murals at ground floor depicting Burne-Jones. The building is on the Nelson trail. the historical local link to Lord Nelson. Overall Score: 45 Adjacent to St. Johns Church is the earliest phase of development which Area type: comprises of 4 storey blocks in red brick arranged around courtyards. Area requiring enhancement to reinforce identity Features include pitched or flat roof, Murals at ground of towers Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 4 High Path Estate Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues Public Realm: • Paving and other surface materials patchy and in need of revitalisation. • Public and private spaces conflict and detract from the overall vision of the estate. • Large areas of hardstanding surrounding the estate are given over to parking and garages with little landscape or amenity space. Arch cut through on Hayward Way • Poorly concieved pedestrian routes which lack legibilty or natural surveillance Low rise terrace on Miles Court • Proliferation of concrete bollards and low fencing which cause obstructions to movement and restrict access to green space. • Lack of conventional streetscape and quality of most areas of the public realm is poor. 17 Built Form: • Materials on residential towers such as concrete slabs where finish has degraded with visible cracks on facade. • Piecemeal development of the overall estate has resulted in clusters of blocks which back onto each other and an estate which lacks a cohesive External corridors on Hillsborough Close architectural language. • There is disparity in the scale of low rise blocks and high rise residential towers.

Guidance Cantilever balconies on Nelson Grove Road Public Realm: • The area is in need of comprehensive public realm enhancement to upgrade the landscape, parking and to improve the hierarchy of spaces Enhancement Project from private through to public.

SW5: Public realm Built Form: enhancements around the • Refurbishment scheme required to revamp the visual appearance of the estate incorporating additional estate whilst retaining and enhancing the successful parts of the original planting. concept such as Priory and Beckett Close.

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 3 storey block and 12 storey tower on Pincott Road 5 Melbourne Road Character Area Assessment

Character Statement decorative multi- pane section fixed This area comprises of a residential to a single pane of glass and stone Criteria Based mullions in bays. The majority have pocket of 2 storey terraced houses to Assessment the south of Kingston Road which date canopy porch some with decorative The qualitative attributes of each character from the Edwardian and Interwar wooden carving and also timber beam area are assessed by using the following period. The area does not have decoration on gabled bay. This area is criteria: defined architectural style as there is a interspersed with terraced pairs with Identity mix of motifs which recur throughout. low wide sweeping gable, timber beam Urban Layout Movement However there is cohesion in the scale decoration and recessed arched porch Architectural Interest and arrangement of plots in this quiet with keystone detail. Built Form leafy residential enclave. On Milner and Brisbane Roads there is Public Realm Edwardian streets such as Shelton, a pocket of red or terracotta brick Trees Landscape Mina, Branksome and parts of terraces with more prevalent use of Features white stone dressings and red tile 18 Melbourne Road have a similar Economic Vitality architectural palette. These are hangings. Interwar architecture is typically 2 storeys with double square typically on streets such as Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the or canted gabled bay and bargeboard. Queensland Avenue and Bathurst character area is good, moderate or poor. The front façades are finished in Avenue, there are terraces in brown The total score defines whether an render with timber beam decoration brick and pebble dash with gabled area is an: and canopy porch some of which have front projection and large chimneys. 1) Area of established high quality red tiled roofs. A number of houses Also included in this area are cottages 2) Area with scope to reinforce the have red tile hanging across bay, along on The Path which date from the existing character timber detailing on gables and or Edwardian and Interwar periods, these 3) Area requiring enhancement to decorative wooden framed porch. are finished in London stock brick with reinforce identity square bay or pebbledash and double On roads such as Bournemouth, bay with red tile hangings. A later Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood Boscombe, Kirkley and parts of addition off Rutlish Road is a close of assessment map are located at the end Melbourne Road there is more simple 2 storey red brick houses from of this chapter. prevalence in the use of red brick as a the 1970s. material. These houses are generally 2 Overall Score: 75 storeys in red brick or with red brick at Throughout the area the streetscape ground floor, with double gabled bay, is enhanced by mature trees along Area type: ridge tiles, raised gable capped with established planting in front gardens. red brick, canopy porch. Fenestration Area of established high quality is typically sash windows with upper Kirkley Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 5 Melbourne Road Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Loss of front garden vegetation and or front boundary in places which detracts from the street scene.

Built Form: Brisbane Road Low sweeping gable Bournemouth Road • Changes to original materials such as painting over brickwork and installation of pvc windows erodes the character of properties. • Addition of porches or infilling of canopy entrances interrupts the architectural rhythm. • Addition of mutiple rooflights on front elevation creates visual clutter. 19

Shelton Road Bournemouth Road Guidance

Public Realm: • Retain existing front boundaries and landscape.

Built Form: • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials.

Brisbane Road Winifred Road

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood The Path Branksome Road 6 Nursery Playing Fields Character Area Assessment

Character Statement Houses on both Nursery Road and This area comprises of a large tract of Parkleigh Road are typically late Criteria Based Victorian / Edwardian terraced houses recreation land to the south of a former Assessment rail line and to the east of Morden in a variety of finishes. These are 2 The qualitative attributes of each character Road which includes a pocket of storey houses with either shallow area are assessed by using the following residential development to the south square double bay or half bay, criteria: off Morden Road. This pocket of land materials are yellow London stock Identity is isolated from surrounding areas by a brick with red decorative courses Urban Layout Movement busy road to the west, tramline to the however most have been rendered Architectural Interest south east and commercial and painted over or pebbledashed. Built Form development to the north. This area Terraced housing facing Morden Road Public Realm does not have a cohesive character is a mixture of inter-war residential Trees Landscape and is defined more so by its isolation housing and Edwardian houses some Features of which have had ground floor 20 than collective architectural language. Economic Vitality converted into commercial premises. A The recreation ground is made up of building of note is the Prince of Wales Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the two adjacent green spaces, Nursery public house built during the late character area is good, moderate or poor. Road Playing Fields and Abbey Victorian period in yellow London stock The total score defines whether an Recreation Ground which is brick with render decoration around area is an: maintained to a high standard. Both windows. A prominent building on 1) Area of established high quality are used for recreation and play host Morden Road is a 5-storey post war 2) Area with scope to reinforce the to facilities such as cricket wickets, flat block in red/brown brick with existing character football pitches, playground and dormer windows, hipped roof and tall 3) Area requiring enhancement to pavilion. A pleasant tree lined chimney stacks. reinforce identity pedestrian pathway is situated to the north of this space, at the western end Adjacent to Abbey Recreation Ground Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood there is a concentration of informally is a housing estate built during the late assessment map are located at the end planted trees and bushes. The path 1970s on Wilmore End. These are 2 of this chapter. provides pedestrian linkage to the storey semi detached houses in pairs or blocks of four in yellow brick with surrounding residential area. Overall Score: 65 white cladding. Houses have small Residential development has a mixed green space to the front and or Area type: layout of late Victorian or Edwardian arranged around communal garage terraces, 1980s housing estate, inter and parking space. Area with scope to reinforce the existing character war houses and post war flat block. Post war flat block on Morden Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 6 Nursery Playing Fields Character Area

Issues

Public Realm: • Variety in quality of front boundary treatment and loss of boundary in places interrupts the cohesion of street scene. • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic on Morden Road • Lack of conventional streetscape on Wilmore End, blocks arranged around parking and garages with poor definition of public/private space • Paving: paving slabs & tarmac, fragmented finish in places. 19th Century Prince of Wales public house Abbey Recreation Ground • Lack of tree planting along streets.

Built Form: • Shopfront signage on Morden Road varies in quality and has disjointed 21 appearance. • Mutiple varieties in finish and architectural style, the cohesive character original properties has been eroded through alterations to original features and piecemeal development of the area.

Nursery Road Willmore End Guidance

Public Realm: • Retain existing front boundaries where possible. • Maintenance of footpaths required and strengthen tree planting. • Strenghten tree planting. Built Form: • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials.

Pedestrian path to tram stop Morden Road Post war flat block on Morden Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 7 Merton Industrial Park Character Area Assessment

Character Statement brick with raised core, horizontal This area is characterised by a mixture detailing such as terracotta brick or Criteria Based white stone dressing, windows also of 1930s and contemporary buildings Assessment used for a variety of purposes such as have horizontal appearance. The units The qualitative attributes of each character offices, commercial units, light here are examples of attractive area are assessed by using the following industrial units and workshops. It commercial architecture. criteria: includes Merton Industrial Park and Identity Lombard Business Park to the south Overall the industrial estate is well Urban Layout Movement of Merantun Way and Nelson Trading maintained with good accessibility and Architectural Interest Estate off Morden Road. has well defined public space Built Form particularly along Lombard Road. Public Realm The Nelson Trading Estate is a pocket Trees Landscape of big box development which is There also a pocket of industrial Features buildings straddling Merantun Way 22 predominantly trade retail or Economic Vitality commercial storage. It comprises of on the High Path Estate side. These long blocks of commercial warehouses consist of a more disjointed array of Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the which are subdivided into units with buildings which vary in height and character area is good, moderate or poor. roller shutter doors. The materials are appearance ranging from metal clad The total score defines whether an typically brick at ground floor level and light industrial units and low rise brick area is an: steel frame with cladding on upper garages 1) Area of established high quality with pitched roof. Units are set back 2) Area with scope to reinforce the from road behind parking space and/or Included in this area is Deen City Farm existing character goods entrance and raised pavement. an isolated enclave of farmland to 3) Area requiring enhancement to the south of Lombard Business Park reinforce identity Merton Industrial Park’s primary which comprises of farm buildings and entrance is off Jubilee Way where open space.Adjacent to the eastern Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood predominantly larger single industrial boundary is part of the Wandle Trail, assessment map are located at the end units are located. These are modern this particular section is a tree lined of this chapter. grey clad warehouse or industrial pedestrian/cycle link which runs alongside the Wandle River, it a facilities with expansive forecourts and Overall Score: 55 parking. Lombard Business Park off tranquil route in stark contrast to the Morden Road comprises of older units busy roads in the wider Area type: some of which date from the 1930s. neighbourhood. These are smaller brick build units Area with scope to reinforce the ranging from 2-3 storeys in brown/red existing character Lombard Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood 7 Merton Industrial Park Character Area

Issues

Public Realm: • Paving: paving slabs & tarmac, fragmented finish in places. • Abandoned bus on Deer Park Road is an eyesore. • Pedestrian environment on Morden Road is poor, lacks tree planting, fragmented finish to paving and crossings. Lombard Road Nelson Trading Estate • The quality and condition of fencing/enclosure varies in the estate. • Pylons running through the estate are visible throughout the neighbourhood and detract from views.

23 Guidance

Public Realm: Deer Park Road Deer Park Road • Enhance pedestrian environment by improving crossing points, paving materials and strengthen tree planting. • Remove abandoned bus on Deer Park Road. • Ensure fencing within estate is of high quality and strenghten tree planting. Built Form: • There are good examples of 1930s industrial units which should where possible be preserved.

Windsor Avenue Lombard Road Enhancement Project SW6:Enhancement of the public realm on Morden Road. SW7:Enhancement and maintenance of Wandle Trail along eastern boundary. Lombard Road Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood Deer Park Road Nelson Trading Estate South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

1 Nelson Road Character Area 2 South Wimbledon Core Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest architectural or historic interest

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character which affect the character

Criteria Score 50 6050 10 100 Criteria Score 50 5050 10 200

Character Area Total Score 70 Character Area Total Score 70

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

3 Mill Road Character Area 4 High Path Estate Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest architectural or historic interest

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character which affect the character

Criteria Score 50 6050 10 150 Criteria Score 50 2050 10 250

Character Area Total Score 75 Character Area Total Score 45

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

5 Melbourne Road Character Area 6 Nursery Playing Fields Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest architectural or historic interest

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character which affect the character

Criteria Score 50 6050 10 150 Criteria Score 50 3050 10 350

Character Area Total Score 75 Character Area Total Score 65

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood

7 Merton Industrial Park Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest : Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality : Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character

Criteria Score 5 03050 1250 0

Character Area Total Score 55

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood South Wimbledon Local Area Neighbourhood Character Area Assessment

1 Nelson Road

2 South Wimbledon Core

3 Mill Road

4 High Path Estate

1 5 Melbourne Road

6 Nursery Playing Fields

28 2 3 7 Merton Industrial Park 4 Area of established high 5 quality Area with scope to reinforce existing character Area requiring enhancement to 6 7 reinforce identity

Merton borough character study: 2 South Wimbledon Local Neighbourhood