Morden Sub Area Neighbourhoods

Home , Baitul Futuh Mosque, Morden, Wandle Trail

14 MordenDRAFT Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

Origins and General station was opened in September house workers from inner London. Character 1926. The arrival of the Underground Part of the estate is located in this The Tramlink light rail line from led to a huge expanse of farmland neighbourhood; it was the largest local Wimbledon to Croydon runs through being developed as residential authority development in South the northern part of Morden Hall Park suburbs. Uniquely Morden is the only London. In order to preserve some which forms the northern boundary of example of the ‘Metroland’ type of green space the owner of Morden Hall this neighbourhood. The railway line suburb in South London. To Park namely Gilliat Hatfeild sold the adjacent to the Baitul Futuh mosque complement the new station, a garage freehold to Merton and Morden District defines the southern boundary. To the was constructed on the other side of Council in 1936 as a permanent open south east the St. Helier estate London Road, adjacent to the railway space. When he died in 1941 he left straddles the boundary onto cutting and, in 1932; Morden Cinema his Morden Hall estate to the National Central Road and the western was built next to it on the corner of Trust. Building halted in 1939 but after boundary roughly follows the route Aberconway Road. Around the station the war further council houses were a new commercial centre grew quickly built in the surrounding area. The 2 from London Road onto Crown Lane. Both London Road and Aberconway as shops sprang up along London Crown public house was demolished Road serve as gateways into the Road and Crown Lane. During the in the early 1960s to make way for the neighbourhood. The present A24 1930s Morden transformed from fourteen-storey office block, Crown (London Road) follows a similar route village to suburb as the town centre House, and a large supermarket (the of a Roman road between London and and surrounding housing estates were supermarket was in turn demolished Chichester which passed through rapidly developed. Further transport in the 1980s and replaced by the Civic Morden later known as Stane Street. improvements came with the Centre/Library). The Crown pub was The area of Morden was estate construction of a new Southern incorporated into the new building. The property of Westminster Abbey until Railway branch line from Wimbledon largest store, the Royal Arsenal the 16th century. Around 1750 Morden to Sutton via stations at South Co-operative Society (RACS) closed Hall was built. Ordnance survey maps Merton and Morden South. The new in 1979, and it, the cinema and the from 1865 show that the area was line opened in January 1930. As a garage were all demolished in the rural in character and used for result of the new transport links, the 1980s/1990s. Supermarkets such as farming as the land was subdivided population of Morden increased Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Lidl are now into fields. The original Morden village rapidly. In the next fifteen years, the located in these sites. Modern offices is located around St Lawrence Church population continued to grow, as most were built over the top of the one mile away from the present town of the area was covered in new underground station building centre. There were isolated pockets of suburban homes. One of the main during the 1960s and London Road development in the 19th century such residential developments in the 1930s was slightly widened. The Baitul Futuh as corrugated iron clad cottages built was the St. Helier estate, built by mosque which is a local landmark the London County Council (LCC) to opened in 2003. in Crown Lane. Morden underground View of Morden town centre Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

Built Form used in houses to the southeast are The figure ground adjacent illustrates predominantly red brick, red roof tiles, the predominantly open grain of this simple fenestration, features such as neighbourhood. A concentration of door canopies and brackets. To the large footprints indicate Morden west of the town centre the houses shopping centre which lies around the have motifs such as full bays, red brick underground station at the junction of at ground floor, render at first, red tile Crown Lane and London Road. The hangings on bay windows, half core of the area consists of larger timbering on front gables and footprints which are retail units and originally would have had leaded offices some with residential on upper windows. There is also a pocket of floors. These buildings range from 2-5 19th century brick terraces along storey and are generally red brick or Crown Road. The built form is rendered modest horizontal blocks punctuated by major movement 3 some with art deco motifs. Central to corridors such as London Road, this is the art deco style tube station Morden Hall Road and Aberconway and the 14 storey civic centre building Road. Voids running along the which is a landmark that is visible from southern and northern boundary are the surrounding area. The civic centre Wimbledon to Sutton Railway and building is a curved slab on a two Tramlink respectively. In addition the storey podium with shops on ground underground railway and garage cuts floor. Beyond the town centre the built through the centre of the form is predominantly residential neighbourhood creating a barrier estates of 2-3 storey modest between east and west of the suburban housing. The suburbs are neighbourhood. The large footprints to overwhelmingly dominated by medium the south of the area are the sized family houses however there is underground garage and adjacent to a concentration of 4 storey apartment this the Baitul Futuh mosque which buildings to the west of the town is a local landmark and example of centre. The housing estates follow a Islamic architecture. A large void to the formal layout, with those to the west north of the area is the open space of the town centre displaying a denser of Morden Hall Park and a number of grid layout whilst to the south of the buildings scattered to the south include town centre the St. Helier Estate has those from the 1770s such as Morden Hall Park and its watermills. a more open grain. The materials Figure ground of Morden neighbourhood Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

Land Use the surrounding area. Adjacent to the the area to London and beyond. The Land use concentrated around the southeast boundary of the Tramlink light rail line from Wimbledon town centre is retail, restaurants and neighbourhood is the Abbotsbury to Croydon runs through the northern offices with some residential on Primary School. To the north of the part of Morden Hall Park, and Phipps upper floors. Morden has a mix of high area is Morden Hall Park which covers Bridge and Morden Road tram stops street chains and independent over 50 hectares of parkland with the give access to the park. There are retailers which are located along river Wandle running through it. Within also pedestrian/cycle routes running London Road, Crown Lane and the the park boundaries there are former through the park which form part of the northern end of Abbotsbury Road. Morden Hall estate buildings which are Wandle Trail and more informal desire Central to the town centre is the Civic open to the public as a local history paths. Centre building and two storey resource. forecourt building which house London Open Space Borough of Merton offices, council Movement Morden Hall Park is a large parkland 4 chamber and Morden Library. Morden Road, London and Morden located to the north which is the Hall Road are strategic roads which remnant of a former estate. This The underground station, railway are part of the Transport for London tranquil park is one of the few land and associated rail depot Road Network and as such are busy remaining estates that lined the River termination point which cuts across traffic corridors. The junction of these Wandle during its industrial past. The centre of the area but is subterranean three traffic corridors forms the river meanders through the park which across London Road and at Kenley gateway into Morden Town where includes former estate buildings. There Road. In addition to the rear of the traffic moves around a one way are also small areas of open space town centre there is car parking space system. scattered throughout the St. Helier and a multi storey carpark off Kenley estate which were originally integrated Road and another car park off York At the centre of the town centre is into the layout of the housing estate as Close. Morden Underground Station which is a landscape setting for the buildings. the southern terminus of the Northern Low rise residential is the predominant Line which runs directly into central use to the west and southeast of the London. The forecourt of the centre. Baitul Futuh mosque is a large underground station is the departure complex which is a focal point for the point for numerous bus routes Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, connecting suburban south London facilities include prayer halls, library, and northern Surrey. To the south crèche and studios. The Baptist of the neighbourhood is the Morden Church is located off Crown Lane South railway station which is on the and provides community facilities for Wimbledon to Sutton line and links View of Morden Hall Park Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Analysis

General Neighbourhood Characteristics

Major movement corridor

Minor movement corridor

Major Gateway

Minor gateway

Positive Neighbourhood Characteristics

Key view to open space M2 M1 M3 Waterspace 5

M7 Green open space M7

Strategic landmark M7 M5 M6 Local landmark M4

Negative Neighbourhood Characteristics M5 M6 Neighbourhood node needing enhancement

Major barrier

M6 Movement corridor needing enhancement

M Public realm enhancement needed

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood Heritage Assets

Heritage map to be added at later stage

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood Character Areas 1 Crown Lane

2 London Road

3 Abbotsbury

4 Links Avenue

5 Morden Hall Park

1 5 7

4 3 2

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood

Morden Local Neighbourhood Character Area Assessment, Issues and Guidance

9 1 Crown Lane Character Area Assessment This character area focuses on the and signage above; again these have core town centre of Morden from the a variety of finishes. The 2 storey Criteria Based junction of London Road and Morden shopping parade continues however Hall Park Road to the shopping parade there is a variety in finish and Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character just beyond Crown House. The town condition.Some are rendered, with area are assessed by using the following centre is located along a busy traffic simple linear stepped decoration and criteria: corridor and bus depot which focal centre points such as an Art Deco Identity dominates the public realm. The sun motif in the render and raised Urban Layout Movement pedestrian environment is adversely stepped pediments. There is a break Architectural Interest affected by the heavy traffic and in the parade which is a 4 storey red Built Form obstructive street furniture and railings. brick commercial building with multi- Public Realm The town centre is further disjointed storey carpark to the rear. Towards the Trees Landscape due to the railway line which cuts park the built form returns to red brick Features across the centre adjacent to a with simple brick decoration around 10 Economic Vitality supermarket development. windows and eaves, buildings at the junction have geometric curved Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the Prominent buildings in the area are the corners or a tapered corner. On the character area is good, moderate or poor. Civic Centre and Morden underground opposite parade the materials are The total score defines whether an station. The Civic Centre is a 1960s again red brick however some area is an: modernist curved 14 storey tower buidings which have stone facades 1) Area of established high quality block which sits on a 2 storey podium with simple Art Deco linear stepped 2) Area with scope to reinforce the with banks of shops at ground floor. form, linear render detail raised existing character The tube station was built in 1926 in pediment. 3) Area requiring enhancement to an Art Deco style and incorporates a reinforce identity row of shops either side. In the 1960s In close proximity to the underground a block of offices was built over the there is a narrow alley which acts as Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood station. The rest of the streetscene is 2 a pedestrian shortcut onto Kenley assessment map are located at the end storey horizontal blocks built in simple Road. Overall the 2 storey buildings of this chapter. Art Deco styles which were built in the have a linear symmetry and are flat Overall Score: 55 1930s. Buildings along Crown Lane roofed therefore the core of the centre and London Road are red brick with appears horizontal. There is disparity Area type: linear brick decoration above windows between the low rise shopping and some with brick arch feature parades and Civic centre as there is Area with scope to reinforce to above central window on upper floor. no intermediate massing to form a existing character Each unit has large display window transition from low to high rise. Art deco detailing on London Road Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 1 Crown Lane Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic, railings and street furniture. • Lack of tree planting. • Bus depot outside station dominates the public realm. • Link to Morden Hall Park is weak. • Alleyway near tube station used as pedestrian route in poor condition. Morden underground station Red brick shopping parade Crown Lane Built Form: • Variety in shopfront finishes and condition creates disjointed streetscene. • Vacant shops on Abbotsbury Road boarded up which degrades overall 11 streetscene • Void in massing between low rise shopping parade and Crown House. • Portacabins located on Civic Centre building detrimental to streetscene along Crown Lane.

Guidance Stepped pediments on London Road Crown House Public Realm: • Strengthen tree planting along Crown, London Road and link to Morden Hall Park. Enhancement Project • Traffic improvements required along London Road. • Pedestrian environment requires enhancement. M1: Enhance London Road Built Form: through traffic improvements. • New development should seek to address disparity in building massing and be creatively designed to be sympathetic in materials and details to M2:Strengthen tree planting on the Art Deco style buildings in the area. London Road and link to Morden • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing Hall Park. and materials. M3: Enhance alley used as • Retain original shopfront details if present. Shop front alterations should pedestrian route. be informed by the original detailing and materials. Arts and Craft style London Road Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 2 London Road Character Area Assessment This character area covers a stretch of and minarets 36m and 23m high. The development to the north of Morden building is a blend of Islamic and Criteria Based centre along Morden Road and the modern British architecture. tract of land on London Road along Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character the railway line which cuts across the Along London Road there are 3-4 area are assessed by using the following neighbourhood. The area has a storey apartments blocks built in the criteria: mixture of development which is 1950s with Art Deco detailing such as Identity residential, commercial and industrial. Grosvenor Court. The apartment block Urban Layout Movement The built form has a variety of plots has a deep mansard roof with Architectural Interest sizes and widths. The area has a windows, linear geometry to the Built Form broken urban grain and there is a elevations in white render set back Public Realm transition from the surrounding low rise from the road arranged around an Trees Landscape suburbs to 4 storey height buildings open courtyard. Adjacent to this block Features many of which date from the 1950s. are 4 storey flat roof blocks in red brick 12 Economic Vitality with bands of white render running Along busy Morden Road there are across the elevations and balconies. Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the pockets of ‘metroland’ terraces. The Morden Court to the rear of the retail character area is good, moderate or poor. terraces are interrupted by commercial units on London road is a distinctly Art The total score defines whether an buildings such as a car garage which Deco two storey block of flats rendered area is an is large rectangular structure clad in in white with horizontal render detail, 1) Area of established high quality blue corrugated metal panels. To the curved corners and green pantiled 2) Area with scope to reinforce the north there is the Trinitarian Bible roof. existing character Society premises located in a former 3) Area requiring enhancement to Territorial Army depot built in the late Across London Road there is a mix of reinforce identity 1940s which is a 2 storey modest car wash, parking and blocks of block built in a simple Art deco style. apartments such as The Holt which is Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood There is also a large late Victorian a 3 storey block with red brick, mock assessment map are located at the end house has been altered for use as a shutters and column entrance on the of this chapter. church. Adjacent to this and running front elevation; the blocks are arranged Overall Score: 65 behind the town centre is a tract of around a courtyard. To the south there railway land and carpark. The railway are two storey apartments built in a Area type: terminates at a large brick depot which ‘Metroland’ style which appear to be Area with scope to reinforce was built in the 1930s. Directly houses however have external existing character adjacent to the depot is a purpose- stairwells to 1st floor. built mosque with 15m diameter dome Art Deco detail Morden Court Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 2 London Road Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic. • Lack of tree planting. • Paving: tarmac, fragmented finish in places. • Litter visible particularly around Morden Court.

Built Form: London Road Railway terminus with Grosvenor Court & Baitul • Inappropriate extensions to the rear of commercial buildings backing onto Futuh mosque in the background Morden Court which erode the character of the development. • Urban grain broken in places due to variety in use and plot size. 13

Guidance

Public Realm: • Introduce tree planting along busy traffic corridors. • Maintenance of footpaths required. Grosvenor Court on London Road Supermarket and York Close carpark to the rear Built Form: • Rear extensions to properties should be designed with regard to the outlook of properties which front onto extension. Enhancement Project • New developments should be creatively designed to be sympathetic in terms of massing, materials and details to the older properties in the area. M4:Strengthen tree planting on • New developments should strengthen the street scene and link to the London Road and Morden Road. existing street layout.

Goodwood Close Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 3 Abbotsbury Character Area Assessment The Abbotsbury character area is with an open grain however the focused around the St. Helier estate similarity in building form affects the Criteria Based south of Morden Town centre and also legibility of the area. Many of the a number of estates adjacent to the houses have been altered with render Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character northeast boundary of Morden Hall or have porches added which erodes area are assessed by using the following Park. The predominant character of the cohesion of terrace blocks. criteria: the area is that of a modest Arts and Identity Crafts residential estate. There is some variation on Hazelwood Urban Layout Movement Avenue where houses have been Architectural Interest The 2 storey houses are laid out in rendered in pebbledash with red roof Built Form terraces that range from 3 to 8 houses tiles and red tiled roof door canopies Public Realm per block with small gardens to the with carved wood detail. There is Trees Landscape front and larger gardens to the rear. however a pocket of infill of 3 storey Features The end of terrace house on larger low pitched roof apartment blocks 14 Economic Vitality blocks have front entrance doors on built in London stock and red brick on side elevations. The houses have Birchwood Close directly adjacent to Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the simple elevations with paneled the railway line. The estates adjacent character area is good, moderate or poor. casement windows and hipped roof. to the park have a similar layout to the The total score defines whether an The buildings in the area are very St. Helier estate however they were area is an similar in appearance however there built later. The houses have modest 1) Area of established high quality is variation in the materials used such elevations, varied materials have been 2) Area with scope to reinforce the as red brick and London stock with red used on some such as painted existing character coloured tiles. The design incorporates concrete blocks. There is also a block 3) Area requiring enhancement to gables, different porches, as well as of apartments namely Ravensbury reinforce identity door canopies and brackets. A number Court which consists of a four storey of houses have a front gable detail blocks arranged around an internal Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood with red tile hangings. There are also courtyard. These are modest blocks in assessment map are located at the end pockets of green space and mature red brick with a balcony on the internal of this chapter. trees scattered throughout the layout elevation. Overall Score: 70 which were originally established as landscape setting for the buildings. Area type: The houses are set back from wide Area with scope to reinforce streets adjacent to paved pedestrian existing character footpath and large grass verges. The overall character of the area is low rise Bodmin Grove Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 3 Abbotsbury Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Replacement of original front boundary hedges. • Loss of front boundary wall or hedge. • Loss of grass verges on whole streets and loss in places due to crossovers. • Lack of tree planting in places.

Bardney Road Bordesley Road Built Form: • Loss of original details such as doors, entrance canopies and windows. • Some alterations to original materials such as painted brick or pebbledash. • Addition of front porch and side elevations on end of terrace which 15 interrupts the architectural rhythm of terraces. • Loss of front garden landscape features.

Guidance

Public Realm: Original door detail Hengelo Gardens • Reinstate grass verges where lost and strengthen street tree planting. • Retain existing front boundaries.

Enhancement Project Built Form: • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials. M5: Reinstate grass verges • Retain original doors and windows if present. on Buckfast, Burham and Bardney • Retain front garden landscape features. Road. M6: Strenghen tree planting throughout the area particularly around existing green spaces. Abbotsbury Road Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 4 Links Avenue Character Area Assessment This character area is defined by condition from street to street however its enclosure between Crown Lane, there are recurring motifs throughout Criteria Based which create an architectural cohesion Martin Way and London Road. It is a Assessment residential area beyond Crown House to the estates. Houses are 2 storey set The qualitative attributes of each character with two distinct buildings types within. back from road with small front area are assessed by using the following Adjacent to Crown Road there are garden and larger rear garden, criteria: two storey late Victorian terraces built originally having front boundary wall Identity with London stock brick with red brick however many have been removed. Urban Layout Movement decorative courses. There is Houses are arranged as part of a Architectural Interest decorative brick and render around terrace or as semi detached blocks in Built Form bay windows, arches and recessed cul de sacs off main roads. A common Public Realm porches. The roofs have red or slate detail in streets such as Cedar Road Trees Landscape tiles with raised gables. Along Crown and Links Avenue is a ground floor Features Lane there is another pocket of late projection with red tiled roof, recessed 16 Economic Vitality Victorian development which comprise porch and wooden detail around eaves of modest 2 storey terraces. The and porch arch. Windows were Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the terraces on the Grasmere avenue side originally leaded panel casement and character area is good, moderate or poor. of Crown Lane are rendered or there are examples of both bay and The total score defines whether an pebble dash with red roof tiles, bow. Houses are red brick at ground area is an originally sash windows and raised floor with white render on upper floor 1) Area of established high quality gables. Pairs share a front gable and red tile roof. There are also front 2) Area with scope to reinforce the projection porch with red tile hanging. gable projection some with mock existing character The terrace on the opposite side have beams, bargeboard and or tile 3) Area requiring enhancement to distinctive wooden panels on upper decoration. Along Links Avenue and reinforce identity floors which originally were painted Martin Way some of the properties white and have London stock brick at have a coloured glass motif on Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood ground level although these windows. Along Hatherleigh Close and assessment map are located at the end materials have now been painted on Camrose Close houses are more of this chapter. many properties. These pockets of ornate with red brick and or mock Overall Score: 60 Victorian development merge into beams on elevation and or front gable. development beyond and as such are Details evident are oriel windows, full Area type: a transition zone between the town bay windows with red tile hangings Area with scope to reinforce centre and suburban ‘metroland’. and front gable detail with over bays existing character The housing beyond was built in the which is half timbered or red tile 1930s, there is variation in detail and hanging with red roof tiles and deep Queen Elizabeth Gardens Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood overhanging eaves. 4 Links Avenue Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Paving: tarmac and slabs, fragmented finish in places. • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic on Martin Way and Crown Lane. • Lack of tree planting. • Loss of front boundary. • Loss of grass verges in places. Mock beams Camrose Close Crown Lane Built Form: • Changes to original materials such as windows, doors and painting over brickwork eroding character of original properties. 17 • Infilling of entrance canopies to form porches. • Loss of front garden landscape features. • One storey side extensions to end of terrace houses and the addition of rooflights which disrupt the architectural rhythm of the street scene.

Oriel windows on Hatherleigh Close Victorian terrace on Crown Road Guidance

Public Realm: • Retain existing front boundaries. Enhancement Project • Maintenance of footpaths required. • Introduce tree planting on Crown Lane and Martin Way to enhance M7:Introduce tree planting on pedestrian environment Crown Lane , Martin way and Built Form: Links Avenue. • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials. • Retain original doors and windows if present. • Any replacement windows should match the glazing pattern of the original. Cedars Road Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 5 Morden Hall Park Character Area Assessment This character area covers the 50 projecting wings flanking a courtyard. hectares of Morden Hall Park and The grounds of the house are an Criteria Based the former estate buildings situated enclave within the park with a cottage within it. The River Wandle meanders and formal rose garden to the west. In Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character through the park spanned by close proximity to the weatherboarded area are assessed by using the following numerous footbridges. The park is cottage are the former snuff mill, estate criteria: enclosed from the surrounding area cottages, stables and walled kitchen Identity by a high brick wall and views into the garden area. These buildings are 1-2 Urban Layout Movement park from outside are obscured by a storey brick blocks which were built at Architectural Interest dense layer of mature trees. Part of the different stages from the late 18th Built Form Wandle Trail runs through the parkland century to the 19th century and now Public Realm and there is wayfinding signage house an environmental centre, local Trees Landscape scattered throughout the park. artisans, cafe and a garden centre. Features The entrance to the former stable 18 Economic Vitality There are entrances into the park on yard has a clock tower topped with a London Road, Morden Hall Road and weather vane in the form of a trout. Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the Morden Road. The tramlink runs along The former snuff mill is an example of character area is good, moderate or poor. the northern boundary of the park the River Wandle industrial heritage The total score defines whether an and there is an entrance into the park and has an original waterwheel. area is an from tram stops at Morden Road and 1) Area of established high quality Phipps Bridge. To the west of the park 2) Area with scope to reinforce the an area is dedicated to wetland and existing character wildflower meadows. The centre of the 3) Area requiring enhancement to park is a vast open green space with reinforce identity large mature trees scattered informally and wide pathways lined with more Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and neighbourhood formally planted trees. To the south assessment map are located at the end of the park is Morden Hall Park which of this chapter. is surrounded by a man-made moat Overall Score: 80 from the river Wandle. Morden Hall lies close to the road hidden by a tall wall Area type: and trees. The house built in 1770 is three storeys, the north elevation front Area of established high quality nine windows wide, the south elevation with four window centre and two long Former snuff mill Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood 5 Morden Hall Park Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • The park is physically enclosed from Morden Town Centre.

Built Form: • Morden Hall Park is currently unoccupied therefore the surrounding vegetation is in need of maintenance as it detracts from the high quality surrounding landscape. Footbridge over River Wandle Wetlands

Guidance 19

Public Realm: • Create better pedestrian links from park to Morden town centre.

Parkland Morden Hall Park

Former stable yard Open space Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

1 Crown Lane Character Area 2 London Road 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 20

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 3050 250 Criteria Score 5400 20

Character Area Total Score 55 Character Area Total Score 60

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

3 Abbotsbury Character Area 4 Links Avenue Character Area

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

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest architectural or historic interest 21

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

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 5500 510200 Criteria Score 5500 1500

Character Area Total Score 70 Character Area Total Score 65

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood

5 Morden Hall 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 22

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 5080 10

Character Area Total Score 80 Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood Morden Local Neighbourhood Character Area Assessment 1 Crown Lane

2 London Road

3 Abbotsbury

4 Links Avenue

5 Morden Hall Park 2 Area of established high quality 4 Area with scope to reinforce 23 the existing character 5 1 Area requiring enhancement to reinforce identity 4 3 3 2

Merton borough character study: 14 Morden Local Neighbourhood