More tarmacking of Three Kings Piece

Merton Council is consulting on its priorities for transport investment.

These include welcome objectives “to get more people active, reduce air pollution and to promote healthier lifestyles” and there is much to welcome.

Buried in the detail, however, are plans for further tarmacking of our special network of Town Greens. 

This follows the controversy in 2017 when we believe Merton Council acted unlawfully in tarmacking stretches of both Three Kings Piece and Cranmer Green for new bus stops without authorisation. 

The latest plans would tarmac the whole length of Three Kings Piece along Commonside West for a “shared use path”. 

We recognise the need for improve cycling access but do not believe it is necessary for this to be at the expense of our most protected landscapes.  An alternative is to reconfigure the space used by the existing road and pavement to free up room for other users.

We have proposed a bundle of other ways in which Merton Council’s investment could reduce air pollution, provide better pedestrian links and address the problems caused by the school run. 

Our full response is here.

18 Commonside West upward extension would damage design of contemporary flats

The controversial demolition of 18 Commonside West and its redevelopment as a block of flats is a rare example of adequate contemporary design in new building in the Conservation Area.

It is all the more disappointing, therefore, to be faced with new plans to increase its height that have been put forward by the developers of the much less successful scheme at 22 Commonside West.

We believe the current building sits easily in its surroundings and the new one shows a fundamental lack of respect for its context.

The proposed scheme is much higher and does not relate well to the neighbouring 1930s houses. It is also disingenuous for the applicants to suggest that the proposals responds well to 22 Commonside West when this was constructed later and is, in our view, a much less successful scheme.

We have asked Merton Council to reject the plans.

Read our representation – Commonside West 18 – Mar 19.

White Hart development plans fall short

The Grade II listed White Hart is one of the most important buildings in Cricket Green.

Prominently located by the historic cricket ground it was originally a coaching inn on the main route from London to Brighton.

The pub has been closed for some time and we have been supportive of some sensitive development to allow for its restoration.

It is all the more disappointing that the plans that have come forward do not do justice to the site and would damage the key views from Cricket Green.

We objected to the large block of flats put forward for the White Hart’s car park last year and they have returned in an amended form with all of the same problems and fewer benefits.

The sensitive demolition of a new extension to the back of the White Hart has been dropped but the flats will still loom over the historic building and may also be visible from Lower Green West.

We have invited the developers to meet and talk about an alternative approach which will provide homes and restore the White Hart so it can rediscover its role as an important asset for the local community.

You can see our latest representations here.

Cricket Green – the next 50 years – get involved!

Comment on the Cricket Green Charter and come along to a public event on 8th April

We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area this year!

The things that we all know make Cricket Green a special place – the ancient greens, variety of historic buildings, wonderful views and rich story – were officially recognised by Merton Council in 1969 and now by law every effort has to be made by developers and others to “preserve and enhance” its character.

We have a programme of celebrations and events planned, including a 50th anniversary Community on the Green on 18th July and a special Mitcham Heritage Day on 14th September.

Keep an eye out on Twitter (@MitchamCrktGrn) for our 50 things initiative telling the story of the Conservation Area through photographs of things that people have told us are special to them. We are also looking to plant something golden!

The 50th anniversary is also a time to look forward and think about how Cricket Green is going to change in the future.

We all know there are lots of pressures from development and some recent changes have not been for the better. We are also keen to see the open spaces and wildlife better cared for, trees planted and ponds protected. There are too few places for people to meet, we lack community facilities and we are losing shops and businesses. We want to see beautiful homes built and less pollution.

Over the last few years our work has been guided by the Cricket Green Charter and its principles to inform policies and planning decisions about the future of the area.

Among other successes the Charter is the starting point for the £5m now being invested in The Canons and its grounds.

It is time for a refresh and we want your views.

  • How would you like to see Cricket Green change and develop?
  • What would you like to see more of?
  • What is special about Cricket Green that should be protected?
  • What has happened in the last few years you would rather not see repeated?
  • What kind of new development would be welcome?
  • What community facilities are we lacking?

You can see our early thoughts on a new Cricket Green Charter here.

Let us know what you think by:

We know Cricket Green is special.

In this 50th anniversary year please play your part in keeping it that way.

Open spaces matter – our response to Merton Council Open Space Study

Merton’s green spaces matter.

In every poll of why people love where they live they come out top and Cricket Green has more green spaces than anywhere else in Merton.

So we have welcomed a new “open spaces study” by Merton Council which provides an opportunity to recognise their importance and protect and manage them better in the future.

Our green spaces certainly need better recognition.

The evidence is growing of a decline in management standards as a result of Merton Council’s contracting out to idverde. Development pressures are everywhere and Merton’s Local Plan is up for review.

We have highlighted some glaring gaps in the open space database, including important areas of registered Town Green.

Important areas of nature conservation interest are also missing and we have objected to open spaces like Three Kings Piece being classified as “outdoor sports facilities”. They are used for football matches for a tiny percentage of the time and are so much more important than that.

We’re also surprised at the omission of the new green space created around Fair Green as a result of the recent “Rediscover Mitcham” investment. Merton Council has promised that this will be registered as additional Town Green but has left it off the map.

Our submission also calls on Merton Council and Mitcham Common Conservators to prepare management plans for each of the open spaces.

Most green spaces don’t have a management plan and those for Cranmer Green ran out in 2006 and Mitcham Common in 2012.

Among other initiatives we’re also pressing for better protection for the local ponds, stronger commitments to keeping trees and shrubs well watered in the summer and a plan to replace trees which will eventually die off.

Read our submission –  open spaces study – jan 19

See – Merton Council’s open space map