Tag Archives: Cricket Green Conservation Area

Cranmer School development proposals – our response

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The growing school population has resulted in plans for a new building at Cranmer School to accommodate a 50% increase in the number of pupils.

The new building runs along the boundary with the Wilson Hospital and it is a concern that this is prominently located in the green corridor which links open spaces in the area. The design is striking and has a green roof (made of sedum plants).

We have welcomed the general approach while encouraging a more sympathetic design to the main frontage.  A serious concern is the impact on the school run which is already a source of major disruption even before the school grows in size.  To address this we are asking for any planning permission to include a school travel plan that is agreed with the local community and reduces the impact to below current levels even after school numbers have increased.

This will need a clear commitment to monitoring and enforcement to be effective – something which has failed to materialise in other parts of the Borough.

A final comment is that we have discovered a large number of basic errors and weaknesses in the reports used by Merton Council to support the application and suggested they tender again for their consultancy work.

You can read our comments on the planning application here

Our comments on proposals to develop Cricket Green School

We’ve submitted comments to Merton on proposals for work at Cricket Green School.

The school sits in the Cricket Green Conservation area, and is specifically identified in the draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Cricket Green as one which would benefit from environmental improvement to contribute more positively to the character of the area. It is in that context that we’ve made our submission.

In our comments we say that there is potential for Merton to show leadership by example in how it executes changes. We’re disappointed that some aspects of the plans don’t show that leadership and set a good example for others to follow.

For example, did you know there is a small, Grade II listed, remnant of the 14th Century Hall Place Chapel within the grounds of the school? Merton apparently does not, as the plans do not mention it, nor show it on the very detailed maps which have been complied. Maps which are detailed enouth to include every drainage cover on the site.

One of our aims with our comments is to ensure this piece of local history is properly protected and that there is some interpretation explaining the site. At present it sits with no interpretation at all.

We comment on several other aspects of the plans, and you can read our full comments here.