Character Study Appendix Consultation summary Page 201 Page

Allies and Morrison Solidspace Urban Practitioners Consultation summary

Merton Council was very keen that The second part contains a summary of this Character Study had an extensive the comments that were received about programme of engagement to help test each neighbourhood, including direct the emerging ideas and ensure that quotes from the surveys. local residents were happy with the way their neighbourhoods were represented. Workshop Covid 19 hit shortly after this study was Separate to this survey, a short survey for commissioned which has meant that the community groups was also undertaken, plans for consultation have needed to be as well as a stakeholder workshop to test adapted and evolved to take an online ideas and emerging proposals. A write up and digital form. Over 450 people have of this workshop is included within this contributed to the engagement process Page 202 Page document. which is an incredible achievement given the recent challenging context. Public consultation Quotes from all of the engagement events The draft document was published for help to illustrate this report and ensure public consultation for 6 weeks the voice of local residents is recognised from Monday 8 February 2021. Feedback within this study. from the consultation period was reviewed and resulted in amendments to Online public survey the final adopted version of the SPD. A digital survey was designed and went live online between 7 September and 5 October 2020. 416 people responded to this from within all areas of the borough. The survey was designed to test the proposed neighbourhoods and review their boundaries. We also wanted to understand what people valued about each neighbourhood and better understand what could be changed and improved.

This report contains a summary of the responses to this survey, beginning with a review of changes to neighbourhood boundaries as a result of comments. Page 203 Page

Survey - Boundary changes... 5 sub areas...

Queen’s Road

Ridgway Page 204 Page

Figge’s Marsh ...now 6 Page 205 Page Neighbourhoods review Page 206 Page Summary of key comments on boundaries

• What are ’s boundaries?

• Some think Kingston Road is the Old Merton northern boundary, others think Merton Park? Park extends beyond Kingston Road into Wimbledon Chase area. • General agreement that the tram line forms the eastern edge, although acknowledge Old Merton Park on other

Page 207 Page side of tramline. • Some think the Merton Park area should be in Wimbledon, not . • Some people think it’s its own piece - different to Wimbledon and Morden • Merton Park is more contained? Defi ned by the arts and crafts houses and gardens of the John Innes developments / the John Innes Estate and the Church / original Garden Suburb and conservation area / parish boundaries of St. Mary’s Church?

“Merton Park’s boundaries are defi ned by railway Existing boundaries for Merton Park and tram lines, then within that area by age and Residents who disagreed with the boundary and described their neighbourhood as Merton Park type of housing. Morden is the major shopping centre on the southern perimeter” Possible moves...

Most popular Page 208 Page

Proposed change: Move boundary northwards to Kingston Road (but include the Kington Road frontage within Wimbledon Chase) Summary of key comments on boundaries

• Some consider Haydons Road in Wimbledon, not . Extend Queen’s Road sub area to Haydons Road? Or Haydons Road goes into Wimbledon?

• Queen’s Road area seen as South Park Gardens to some - rename?

• Boundary of ? Does it need to move north into Queen’s Road area / Haydons Road area? A couple of people in Queen’s Road area feel they are in South Wimbledon, but others nearby see themselves as in Wimbledon or central Wimbledon. • Boundary between South Wim and Colliers Wood the Wandle - this would tie in with lots of people 209 Page west of the Wandle in the Haydons Road area describing themselves as being in South Wimbledon. Possible moves... Proposed changes: Leave Haydons Road in CW but Queen’s Road to extend a little eastwards.

Acknowledge South Park Gardens within character area but leave area as Queen’s ? Road. ? Extend South Wimbledon boundary north- east to take in the Wandle. Summary of key comments on boundaries Proposed changes: Page 210 Page Summary of key comments on boundaries

• Relationship between , Cannon Hill and Wimbledon Chase - should Raynes Park extend southwards to Cannon Hill Lane?

Possible moves... Proposed changes: Take the south side of Bushey Road into Raynes Park but not the Page 211 Page whole way

Mawson Way relates south so leave in Cannon Hill Summary of key comments on boundaries

• Relationship between Raynes Park and Copse Hill with Wimbledon: Some people feel Raynes Park should be smaller and further to west? Some people feel like the Copse Hill area, especially north of Copse Hill itself is in Wimbledon Postcodes in the current ‘Copse Hill’ area identify as living in ‘West Wimbledon’

Possible moves... Make this green “Raynes Park is a smaller area than shown on the map,

Page 212 Page and Copse Hill? bounded by the A298, Lower Downs Road, Arterberry Road, Montana Road, Conway Road, What would Hunter Road, Pepys Road, this become? Road, Oakwood Road, Cambridge Road” Cottenham Park / West OPTION 1: Copse Hill becomes a Wimbledon Wimbledon neighbourhood.

OPTION 2: Copse Hill deleted as neighbourhood and northern half Shrinken becomes part of Wimbledon Com- Raynes mon and southern part becomes Park Raynes Park. slightly? OPTION 3: Leave as it is Summary of key comments on boundaries

• West Barnes...is this a neighbourhood? Rename Grand Drive West Barnes - lots of people in the Grand Drive area describe themselves as living in Raynes Park or West Barnes - would perhaps be more relatable than Grand Drive. • However is West Barnes larger than this? Looks like it extends into too...maybe best to leave as is! • Grand Drive should take in Parkway • Aboyne Drive should move into Shannon Corner - doesn’t fit with Copse Hill - barrier of A3...and Carter’s Estate in Shannon Corner too?

Page 213 Page Proposed changes: Keep Grand Drive as Grand Drive but reference West Barnes in report ? Move Parkway into Grand Drive

Move Aboyne Drive into Shannon Corner Summary of key comments on boundaries

• Road - some people feel they living in ! Reference in report? • Figge’s Marsh feels like it should be in the centre of the neighbourhood

Proposed changes: Include eastern side of Figge’s Marsh into the

Page 214 Page Figge’s Marsh area

Reference relationship with Tooting Page 215 Page

Neighbourhoods feedback summary... Transport Q6 Sub-area’s compared.. 9.0 average scores 8.0

7.0 Safety Environment 6.0

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Amenities & facilities Colliers Wood South Wimbledon Morden Raynes Park Wimbledon SOUTH WIMBLEDON

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need improving? live? Why? 19 responses

• The attractive, human scale, Victorian • South - needs greening and Edwardian buildings and junction improvements. How can this • Tree lined streets become more of a destination? Leisure, culture and community uses? • Green spaces and city farm • Parks needs to have better facilities (Cafes, • Local high streets for shopping, dining more gardens rather than just grass etc...). etc 217 Page with an independent offer • Housing estate behind South Wimbledon tube • The community feel in various groups needs to be maintained better. of streets and South Wimbledon as a whole - family friendly. Active community • Kingston Road - public realm and and residents groups with events - use of development sites (car garages, vacant hall) schools at weekends by community and • Support local shops by investing in public faith groups realm, widen pavements and shopfronts “I like that Wimbledon town centre is busy, urban and • Easily accessible to central and improvements. Protect space for businesses (no more resi conversions) vibrant. But that surrounding Surrey residential areas are peaceful • Historical interest (Nelson’s Ownership • Dominance of traffic and improved cycling and have historic character” of Property In The Past) and proximity to and linked paths . • Diversification of retail on Merton High Street “Kingston Road needs improving - both in terms of its • Litter/fly tipping/potholes public realm but there are also • Better integration of new development style sites along it, like car garages with existing character of the area. that make the road look messy. These could be redeveloped for new homes” 6 South Wimbledon Q6 neighbourhoods.. Transport 8.0 South Wimbledon 7.0

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Amenities & facilities 6 South Wimbledon COLLIERS WOOD Colliers Wood

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need improving? live? Why? 25 responses

• Independent restaurants and community • Retail parks as opportunity for change assets (Merton Abbey Mills), the • Redevelopment of former Virgin Active site, Wimbledon Brewery coffee in the North Road needed urgently to provide wood, pub, Wandle community centre affordable housing • Heritage buildings - the abbey and mills • Recreation grounds - improvements and

• Victorian 219 Page terraced houses - attractive maintenance streets • New housing areas must have good access • Community spirit, safe and friendliness to sustainable transport modes and better • Green spaces - and park bin storage • Lots of comments about rubbish problems “ the buildings in Colliers Wood have • Need for a community focal point/hub; been improved, but there is more more variety of amenities (e.g. a cafe, work to do to make it seem like a space for creative business). busy London Borough - currently the • High street should be made more attractive high street seems left behind and the with better street-scaping and greenery - shopping centres seem like car parks issue with current traffic dominance with shops. There needs to be more • Too much car parking and dominance of dedicated community space.” vehicles deterring cyclists “The retail parks are very badly • Parks and Wandle trails need better upkeep designed, taking up a huge footprint - cutting back weeds to help widen paths. with ground level car parking on prime land, and encourage people to drive the quarter mile between the shopping hubs.” HAYDONS ROAD Colliers Wood

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 12 responses

• Parks, natural green spaces and trees • Haydons Road - busy and unpleasant - • Good transport links and access to particularly to the northern end - where services it meets Durnsford Road/ - a barrier to moving around

• Residential 220 Page streets - good mix of housing • Wandle paths - wonderful but need • Merton Abbey Mills and river corridor better maintenance. And better care of other green spaces • Traffic - rat-running on Poets • Shops - could be put to better use - pop- up or temporary uses? • Prevent motorcycles using cycle only “Need a better quality of new housing - access roads too many poor-quality flats being built” • Litter issues and better street lighting “Attempts to make the area more built up because Wimbledon is fashionable are making things significantly more cramped and stressed (and being near industrial areas along the Wandle compounds this - two different reasons to build up the area which are in direct conflict with what works for the other; neither works for residents)” Transport 9.0 Q6 neighbourhoods.. 8.0 Colliers Wood 7.0 Safety Environment 6.0

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Amenities & facilities 1 Colliers Wood 1 Colliers Wood District Centre 1 Haydons Road WIMBLEDON VILLAGE Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 3 responses • Village atmosphere • The village requires further investment • Proximity to amenities of village shops given it is such a significant draw and restaurants • Traffic and pollution

• Open 222 Page spaces of the common and parks • Curation of shops in village - less • Easy access to the transport system charity, less chain and less vacant including rail and underground and tram • Wimbledon stables - cleaning services.

“Proximity to amenities of village shops and restaurants together with the closeness of the open spaces of the common and parks”

“Proximity to amenities of village shops and restaurants together with the closeness of the open spaces of the common and parks” “Wimbledon town centre needs to be pedestrianised WIMBLEDON TOWN for character and to Wimbledon encourage footfall and local businesses”

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 46 responses • Strong blend of commerce, culture, • Concern about high-rise development retail and residential. • Traffic - congestion and rat running on • Green spaces and leafy feel residential side streets • South Park Gardens • Cycling - comments to improve the • Wimbledon tennis as a key draw Broadway Page 223 Page • Sense of community - schools, library • Find a way to give restaurants and churches and within each small space for outdoor seating - further residential neighbourhood pedestrianisation? • Variety of shops and services • Vacancy on the high street - need for shop front improvements • Entertainment (theatres/cinema) • New affordable homes with gardens “Feels very suburban even though I am • Connections • Street scape in general - poor paving, close to more urban facilities with lots of • Low-rise quality and characterful street furniture, lighting etc. conveniences.” residential streets - consistency is key • Aim for high quality new development in “The natural habitat that was • Historic landmarks - on Broadway and the high street incorporated in the original lay-out of the also old Pelham school • Maintenance regime for new tree roads and its houses, such as the front planting gardens and grass verges with their trees “A mix of closely related residential and shrubs. Also the original architecture • More music and arts houses of all types coupled with almost of the older buildings, with their pitched adjoining in some cases, commercial • Kingston Road - opportunities for roofs, stainglass windows, boundary buildings. A contrast of accessible improvement walls, front garden paths, gates and retail areas, leisure facilities and • Vacancies in centre court - no reason to front door porches. All these features are attractive residential architecture” go here being lost at an unprecedented rate.” WORPLE ROAD Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 7 responses • Quiet suburban feel • Undeveloped plot of land next door • Green spaces and street trees - close to to Sainsbury’s on George St could be the common either turned into a larger supermarket or accommodation or offices (NOT high

• Local 224 Page low rise shopping centre which is Rise) useful without being a ‘destination’. • Concern about scale of new • Adjacent to the town centre and the development village for amenities • Parking - not enough, too expensive and no monitoring • Pedestrian connection along the railway - litter and graffiti “A quiet suburban feel of the • Affordable housing neighbourhood, the presence • Traffic and aim quality of wonderful green spaces, the access to a low rise shopping centre which is useful without being a ‘destination’. ”

“Low rise different properties with gardens which retain the character of the past.” Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 2 responses • A village feel close to the city • Natural children’s play areas on the • Green spaces common on • High quality homes • Increasing number of vacant shops • Close to shops, services, cultural and • Street clutter improvements community facilities Page 225 Page • Not dominated by high-rise

“I really praise the way Merton has kept its libraries open, and re-thought their uses.”

“It has the feel of a village but is a part of London and very close to the city” WIMBLEDON CHASE Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 35 responses • Full of trees and hilly hedges • Traffic and run-running • Green spaces and sports facilities • Support for better cycle provision • Family oriented with good schools and • Support local parades and shop front

community 226 Page spirit - the John Innes Society, improvements - more shops, cafés and the Merton Park Ward Residents’ restaurants Association, St Mary’s Merton and • Retain mix of residential and other local groups. employment • History and characterful streets with • Litter, potholes and fly tipping - better variety and interesting history - John cleaning Innes and St Mary’s church • Public realm improvements including “Cycling is ignored and its the way • Well cared for by the residents tree management and wider pavements forward” • Nelson Hospital valued needed • The town centre has a mix of business • Lighting at night at the station and step- and residential areas. free access “Heritage and community cohesion with • Well connected with good transport • More community spaces and gym long term stability.” links equipment in parks for social gatherings and public toilets “Recycling and rubbish bins are very unsightly in front gardens. A scheme • More electric charging points and car to encourage householders to have a clubs small shed or at least a cover, perhaps with a living roof, would help to cover them.” RIDGWAY Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 5 responses • Green space • Too many charity shop • Detached large houses • Traffic, congestion and poor road • Peaceful condition • Historic urban environment and Listed • Changes to individual dwellings - Buildings basement construction Page 227 Page

“Wimbledon has everything, vibrant area, good shopping, great selection of restaurants etc, great transport links, and open spaces with the Common. Just a great place to live!”

“Stop giving planning permission to noisy construction of ‘vanity’ basements that blight the landscape for a year or more” QUEEN’S ROAD Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 20 responses • South Park Gardens and other green • Concern about the negative character spaces developing on the Broadway - poor • Terraced housing - quiet residential quality new development - need tree streets with historic character planting and greening Page 228 Page • Local schools • Haydons Road - negative impact of traffic and poor quality buildings • Convenience of neighbourhood • More independent shops and too much vacancy • Traffic and car parking concerns • Need better cycle lanes “An indoor market like the one Wimbledon • Concern about tall buildings and used to have and a fishmonger and butcher development of extra storeys on the in the high street would be great.” existing blocks of flats • Public realm - street clutter “The Broadway is becoming too concrete and losing the charm and character of the • More affordable housing area. Too many ugly new blocks that keep • Retain front gardens going higher”

“New buildings which are too bulky for their surroundings with unattractive facings using cheap materials which require more upkeep than they are likely to get.” PLOUGH LANE Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 3 responses • Quiet residential area • Concern about adjacencies of industrial • Multi-cultural neighbourhood sites in close proximity to residential areas, damaging local green spaces • Close to good transport links and convenient for shopping, • Need more community resources • Near to high quality green spaces. • Public art Page 229 Page • Step-free access to station • Traffic and disjointed cycle lanes • HGVs particularly from waste disposal

“Awkward misuse of industrial sites in close proximity to residential areas, and these damage the integrity of local green spaces”

““Wandle Trail” is just a sleazy short-cut through industrial scrubbery. No attempt to either cultivate or “re-wild” the nearby former sewage works.”

“Pedestrians and cyclists should come first in highways terms. Lack of safe cycling provision between this neighbourhood, Wimbledon, and Morden puts many vulnerable road users off” PARKSIDE Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 1 responses • Green space - Wimbledon Common • Schemes to reduce through traffic • Excellent transport - TfL and SW Rail as • A greater variety of shops in village and well as A3 town centre

• Wide 230 Page range of services/shops

“Wimbledon Village and Town both need a greater variety of shops and a scheme to reduce through traffic” LEOPOLD ROAD Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 9 responses • Green suburban area with trees in the • Reduce congestion by encouraging street-scene other modes of transport • Good transport access • - poor maintenance, • Classic terraced housing interspersed excessive events and projects. Need for with blocks of flats free to use facilities • Leopold 231 Page Road shopping parade • Public realm improvements including more benches • Concern the character area is too large and heterogeneous • Wimbledon station - a neglected, run- down look • St Georges carpark needs to be improved to make it encouraging and “The heritage value of the Grade II* inviting for use. Wimbledon Park is being degraded by insensitive planning, poor maintenance, • Elm Grove ‘business estate’ needs a excessive events and projects” formal plan for the future - concern about residential conversion “Too much parking allowed half on and • More EV charging points half off the pavement. Cars do seem to • Bike storage in streets to encourage have priority here” ownership “Wimbledon hill road needs updating to make nicer and greener, its a poor looking public space. Need to return more streets to tree-lined as over the years too many trees have been cut down” DURNSFORD ROAD Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 5 responses • Good access to green spaces • Concern about golf course • Golf course and tennis club redevelopment • Consistent housing types in grid pattern • Durnsford Road itself felt to be unpleasant

with 232 Page no through traffic • Good transport links • Litter and rubbish • Protect front gardens • Concern about damage to Wimbledon Park • Better access in Wimbledon Park e.g. path around the lake • Better access to sports facilities for all

“Wimbledon Common is my favourite feature, it is a great open space right on our doorstep.” Q6 neighbourhoods.. Transport 10.0 Wimbledon 9.0 8.0 Safety Environment 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 Traffic & parking 0.0 Housing Page 233 Page

Streets & spaces Economy

Amenities & facilities 5 West Wimbledon 5 Durnsford Road 5 Leopold Road 5 Merton Park 5 Parkside 5 Plough Lane 5 Queen's Road 5 Ridgway 5 Wimbledon Chase 5 Wimbledon Common 5 Wimbledon Major Centre 5 Wimbledon Town 5 Wimbledon Village 5 Worple Road GRAND DRIVE Raynes Park

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 9 responses

• Green spaces - Sir Joe hood Memorial • Bellway need to open the Sports Field Playing Field, and for children’s sport and community use; . they must not be allowed to build on it. • Excellent local schools • Improve railway bridges, particularly in Page 234 Page • Quiet residential area with varied house Cannon Hill Lane types • Burlington Road between the West • Limited shops including the parade on Barnes level crossing and Shannon West Barnes Lane, and the corner shop Corner is in need of some regeneration. on Seaforth Avenue. • Improvements and maintenance to • Established sense of community with pedestrian connections - e.g. the residents association - community hubs alleyway that leads between Burlington “I believe that green spaces are what include West Barnes Library (very active Road and the A3 make Raynes Park, and to a greater as social centre) Sacred Heart School, • Public and community projects: extent Merton, special. There are Raynes Park high School, the churches Shannon Corner needs to be tidied large park spaces that are largely (St Saviours, Holy Cross, The Lighthouse up - let’s have some artwork from local left to be wild apart from trails and in Seaforth Avenue). The Residents’ schools. certain fields” Association Pavilion, the Paddock • Traffic on Grand Drive turning side Allotments and other halls, e.g. the “Varied residential - it’s quite mixed roads into ‘rat-runs’ and concern about up, so there tend not to be too many Scout hut in Motspur Park, are well increase in development causing more used; also several sports clubs. concentrations of one type of housing congestion or people” • Improvements and increase in bus routes COPSE HILL/WEST WIMBLEDON Raynes Park/Wimbledon

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 3 responses

• Green feel and green spaces • Need better transport links - more • Quiet regular buses • A village atmosphere • Traffic speeds too high • Access into Coombe Lane from cul de sacs needs improving. Page 235 Page • The bridge over the A3 - negative impact and issues with pedestrian safety

“The Copse Hill/West Wimbledon area benefits from large amounts of green space and a village atmosphere” MOTSPUR PARK Raynes Park

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 2 responses

• Green spaces • Area around the station needs • Community feel improving • Low rise and comparably more • High street ‘lacking’ with no community offer

affordable 236 Page housing

“Train stations need a facelift”

“There is no community hall with events” No RAYNES PARK responses in Shannon Raynes Park Corner

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 20 responses

• Quiet residential street with many • Traffic flow and parking concerns - road nearby schools - ‘village’ feel systems make it hard to navigate by bike • Parks and access to green open space - • Better use of empty land - ‘pointless Holland Park and Cottenham Park green triangle in the middle of roads’ • Excellent transport links and ‘vacant plots not being developed quickly enough’ • Characterful 237 Page historic terraced streets • More restaurants • Community feel and projects such as Lantern Arts Centre, Cavern Freehouse, • Poor repair of streets and pavements MyRaynesPark Festival, Love & Dye and street clutter • Poor condition of the station and the “Raynes Park centre is overly dominated by surrounding area high traffic roads and suffers from a poor • Deteriorating maintenance in the parks - quality public realm as a result; I would be new children’s play area keen to see one side of the one-way system • Vacant shops and buildings needing removed, in order to create more public attention space and improve the quality of the urban realm” • Improved pedestrian routes between green spaces and wider pavements “Section of “dual carriageway” on near schools Kingston Road is completely unnecessary • Concern about loss of local and could be removed and used to create employment sites to housing more public space.” • Concern about development on green “We need to make it better for pedestrians space and adding additional storeys and cyclists and reduce the motor traffic” Transport 9.0 Q6 neighbourhoods.. 8.0 Raynes Park 7.0 Safety Environment 6.0

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Amenities & facilities 4 Grand Drive 4 Motspur Park 4 Raynes Park ST HELIER Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 10 responses

• Green spaces - , • Improve Morden town centre - so much , Wardle River potential • Local shops and services • Community and heath uses in Morden • A range of housing types Centre • Local transport connections • Street improvements - improve road side Page 239 Page verges • Walking and cycling infrastructure improved • Traffi c and car parking on pavements • Litter and fl y-tippng “Great on green spaces. Quite alright on transport. Not so great on shops.”

“Morden high street is an abomination, it needs a lot of updating and renovating. It is amazingly located right by Morden Hall Park and the Tube station, yet it looks so run down! It has so much potential, but all the attention goes to Wimbledon and SW postcode areas.” Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 8 responses

• Green spaces • Concern about the decline of the high • Green feel - grass verges, trees, parks street and vacancies and green spaces • Reduce street clutter

• Good 240 Page transport links • Litter and street cleaning • Maintenance of green space and more planting • Traffi c • More affordable housing

“The amount of parkland and green space in Morden is something special”

“Local high street decline due to loss of much needed shops.” MORDEN Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 9 responses

• Park and green feel - Morden Hall Park • Ravens Park needs investment • Tube station • Better local facilities and shops and • Independent retail restaurants - less vacancy • Safe • Sport and leisure facilities • Proposals that move cars away from Page 241 Page town centre - pedestrian friendly spaces • Deer Park Road - lots of construction • Hamseys Bed Centre - potential site

“Morden Hall Park and are major factors. Few good cafés and restaurants have also popped up in past year. Quality public art and community projects are practically non-existent.”

“Town centre dominated by motor traffi c”

“On some roads cars are parked on a sidewalk - it doesn’t look nice and can make it hard to walk” MERTON PARK Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 32 responses

• Green spaces - John Innes • Rat-running • Tree lined streets and greening - holly • Better community and leisure facilities in hedges Morden

• Friendly 242 Page / community / village feel • Greening in the town centre • Schools and sports ground • Better connection between green • Historic buildings - church, Victorian and spaces Edwardian homes • Return the town centre to 2-way traffi c • Variety in architecture and types of and create a pedestrian friendly area homes - houses and fl ats • Sites: car park behind the tube, Kenley “Morden town centre buildings need • Restaurants and evening entertainment Road, Sandbourne Avenue, the White Hart pub - a new community centre smartening up and the car parking behind • Cafés with outside seating in Morden the tube. Morden needs help to become • Kendor Gardens needs investment • Good transport links more than just a transport hub” • Street cleaning and rubbish • Diverse community • Poor retail to resi conversions “Merton Park is nice and doesn’t need much. If you are talking Morden then it • Public realm improvements - cracked needs a lot, around crown house is terrible pavements (civic centre ugly), crown lane shopping • Concern about height and density of parade looks bad & dated. Morden new homes - should be matched with station and shops feel like the 1980s” infrastructure provision “The McCarthy and Stone development on the old hospital car park shows what is possible. Change doesn’t have to be cheap and nasty.“ Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 7 responses

• Green spaces • Public realm - de-clutter and damaged • Quiet residential area pavements • Improve cycling provision • Litter • Vacant shops Page 243 Page • Parking problems • Use raised table junctions not road closures to prevent rat-running

“Generally quiet, good quality residential area”

“No matter how good the public transport, cars will always be needed in this type of location. This must be acknowledged in planning. Loss of front gardens for parking has reached a tipping point where there may soon be no place to park on the street. Additional yellow lines and EV parking further reduces this and compels people to apply for crossovers. This creates a poor walking environment where pedestrians walk in the street rather than the ‘rollercoaster’ footway.” CANNON HILL Morden

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 25 responses

• Green spaces and woodland • Morden Town centre regeneration • Multicultural area • More collaboration like that with The • Low rise quiet suburban character Sound Lounge, for vacant properties

• Good 244 Page bus links and relatively good • Prevent HMOs wider connectivity • Traffi c management • Car parking problems • Better children’s pay equipment - Joseph Hood Recreation Ground • More street trees and biodiversity planting “Some time ago the • Concern about high rise development Council consulted on the redevelopment of • Convert shops to housing Morden town centre. • Affordable housing What happened? The • Cycle safety - along Martin Way pedestrian area either side of the tube station, where people wait for buses, is particularly poor. The town centre would benefi t from regeneration.” Transport 10.0

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Amenities & facilities 3 Cannon Hill 3 Lower Morden 3 Morden 3 Morden District Centre 3 Morden Park 3 St Helier 3 Merton Park CRICKET GREEN Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 18 responses • History - cricket green buildings • Fly tipping • Green spaces / commons - the field • Any way to improve transport has a country feel accessibility?

• The 246 Page Wilson hospital • Conservation areas need better • Interesting mix of uses maintenance and enforcement for inappropriate development • People and community feel • HGVs should not be allowed to park in • Good transport residnetial areas • Pavement parking is a problem

• Better playgrounds “We are a mixed area and we all get • Regeneration of empty buildings along” • Sites: The London Road between the Cricket Green and the Tramlink has “Green spaces such as Cranmer Green, many areas awaiting redevelopment, London Road Playing Field and Mitcham The Burn Bullock Common could do with some nice little food outlets: local bakery, a pop-up coffee • Pubs overlooking the green: vacant van, a nice cafe.” - find new use for community or affordable housing “Mitcham town centre desperately needs • High street feels neglected - Better TLC. Its run down, dirty, unattractive shops, shops and restaurants - reduce vacancy no draw to it at all. It feels like it has been neglected for a long time compared • More affordable housing to neighbouring areas like Wimbledon, tooting and Streatham” EASTFIELDS Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 7 responses • Green open spaces • Affordable housing • Sense of community • Street cleaning and flytipping • A mix of urban and more rural • HMO issue • More diversity of shopping in town centre Page 247 Page • Traffic congestion and parking concerns

“Mitcham is unfortunately known as the ‘poor relation’ to Wimbledon, and this appears true on so many fronts.”

“Its urban with a nice mix of concrete and tress and grass areas. There is a good selection of people most polite and welcoming” FIGGE’S MARSH Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 11 responses • Well located - zone 3 • Regeneration of Mitcham town centre • Green spaces • Traffic congestion impacts on buses • Diverse community • More frequent rail services

• Strong 248 Page connection to Wandsworth/ • Cheap new development that does not Tooting for shopping fit in with surroundings • Convenient shops • Services and leisure to compete with Wimbledon • More trees on residential streets • Antisocial behaviour

• Investment in cycle infrastructure “New housing being built is ugly and overpriced and doesn’t take into consideration increased impact on public transport or the architectural style of the neighbourhood (see the new Graveney Mews development which is an ugly collection of yellow bricks right in the middle of 3 Edwardian terraced streets). Building should be built to better fit in their surroundings. ”

“More investment in parks would also be great - Figge’s Marsh used to have beautiful flowers beds.” Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 2 responses • The common • Fly tipping • Green space with eco possibilities lined • Better transport connections by early 20thC housing • Better local shopping • Eco friendly development on the edge of the common Page 249 Page STREATHAM ROAD Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 13 responses • Green spaces - Figge’s Marsh • Streetscape on London Road from • Tooting over ground and easy access Amen Corner to Figge’s Marsh is poor to Tooting Broadway • The traffic calming design by Figge’s Marsh/Bruce Road isn’t in keeping with

• Tooting 250 Page is natural centre for the area - not Mitcham town centre. the quality of the neighbourhood • Some attractive Edwardian buildings • More tree planting • Family sized homes • Fly tipping, street lighting and road repair. Cost of car parking • • Figge’s Marsh - needs investment including better boundaries • HMOs • No closure of streets without consultation “The natural neighbourhood centre for shopping and leisure • Disused spaces which could be is Tooting. There is no natural developed eg along Streatham Rd connection to Mitcham town • Improved amenities eg range of shops/ centre.” cafes in Mitcham town centre • Better bus links to Tooting Broadway and other major transport hubs eg “London Road is shabby and Streatham common station dirty.” CHURCH ROAD Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 3 responses • Open spaces close by • Morden has vacant shops which could • Local history and heritage be re-purposed perhaps? • Multi-cultural community. • Mitcham has pound shops and charity shops but supermarkets seem not to • Community Centre in the heart of the survive there. Phipps Bridge Estate. Page 251 Page • Repair work to streets is slow to • Most high-rise blocks have been happen. removed. • Our estate has a litter problem (Phipps). • Some good schools. • Car parks look increasingly rough and • Local children’s play-park is one of the seem not to be maintained well. best in Merton. • More use of open spaces and more • Good Bus and Tram links. project work with young people are very much needed. • Deen City Farm is excellent. “I value the Community • Some local shops. Lots of larger shops Centre in the heart of the nearby Phipps Bridge Estate. The Local children’s play-park is one of the best in Merton. ” Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 2 responses • Working class community • Regeneration of the area • The library and community centre • Rubbish and fly tipping • Safety on the common Page 252 Page

“Mitcham is run down generally, the buildings are looking neglected. The residents no longer take pride in the area and rubbish is dumped on every street corner and against bins and trees. All of the above scenarios require attention.” MITCHAM Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 30 responses • Shops and services • Mitcham high street feels uncared for • Green spaces • Rubbish and street cleaning • Well connected to • Tree maintenance and planting • Historic features like cricket green area • Need better shops, cultural activities, leisure, sports facilities

• Diverse 253 Page and tolerant community • Dean city farm close by • More police presence - antisocial behaviour • Neglected private homes • More space for walking and cycling - better cycle connections “Green spaces everywhere yet very “We have a mural on the wall of the • Support for a better market in Mitcham well connected to public transport to perimeter road, painted by some of • Car parks suggested as development get to central London” the children that live on the estate 17 sites for new businesses and housing years ago. Most of them still live here or are still connected to the area. “The madness of allowing buses To this day the wall has not been through the centre of Mitcham again graffitied on”. cutting through the heart of what could have been usable social & pedestrian “Greater variety of independent shops space” and cultural activities to support art, music etc.” ROWAN ROAD Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 6 responses • Green spaces - Cricket Green, The • Need a community centre to bring Canons and Mitcham Common people together • Village feel • Better street cleaning and flytipping issues

• Community 254 Page / belonging • Good places to play for children • Congestion • Shops and services • Better care of public spaces - planting, new equipment

“Green spaces - these could be improved by putting in things like exercise equipment and making them more accessible ad improving the play areas” WANDLE/MITCHAM BRIDGE Mitcham

What do you think is special about Are there any areas in your the character of the area where you neighbourhood that need live? improving? Why? 6 responses • Green spaces and rivers • Traffic and congestion • Family homes • More diverse shops and leisure uses and activities for young people • Public realm - reduce street clutter, repair pavements Page 255 Page • Vacant shops eg tyre shop on London Rd opposite to . • Neglected private homes

“Would love to see more independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Also an arts space with cinema, work out classes, workshops etc”

“Closure of Bishopford Road bridge has temporary improvement to local traffic levels but long term access issues”

“Unfortunately the biggest street problem of the Mitcham neighbourhood is constant litter and fly-tipping. This really makes it hard to like the neighbourhood. And includes parks.” Q6 neighbourhoods.. Transport Mitcham 10.0 9.0

8.0 Safety Environment 7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0 Page 256 Page 1.0

Traffic & parking 0.0 Housing

Streets & spaces Economy

Amenities & facilities 2 Church Road 2 Cricket Green 2 Eastfields 2 Figge's Marsh 2 Mitcham 2 Mitcham Common 2 Pollards Hill 2 Rowan Road 2 Streatham Road 2 Mitcham Bridge Page 257 Page

Workshop Page 258 Page 259 Page 260 Page 261 Page

Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners is not responsible for nor shall be liable for the consequences of any use made of this Report other than that for which it was prepared by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners for the Client unless Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners provides prior written authorisation for such other use and confirms in writing that the Report is suitable for it. It is acknowledged by the parties that this Report has been produced solely in accordance with the Client’s brief and instructions and without any knowledge of or reference to any other parties’ potential interests in or proposals for the Project.

Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners accepts no responsibility for comments made by members of the community which have been reflected in this report. This page is intentionally left blank