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Let’s just take a look at some of the schools near this proposed development. Along with the three-form entry Singlegate mentioned in this letter we have... https://twitter.com/siobhain_mc/status/1361708632950325259
All Saints’ Primary School - 10 minutes walk away. All on time applications received an offer last year.
Merton Abbey Primary - 13 minutes walk away. All on time applications received an offer.
Garfield Primary - 12 minutes walk away. All on time applications received an offer
Merton Abbey Primary - 13 minutes walk away. All on time applications received an offer.
Garfield Primary - 12 minutes walk away. All on time applications received an offer
Garfield Primary - 12 minutes walk away - All on time applications received an offer.
Liberty Primary School - 15 minutes a walk away - Within catchment zone.
Haslemere Primary School - 17 minutes walk away - All on time applications received an offer
Liberty Primary School - 15 minutes a walk away - Within catchment zone.
Haslemere Primary School - 17 minutes walk away - All on time applications received an offer
London needs to densify its suburbs to tackle the housing.
Developing by transport hubs is ideal and this location, opposite the tube station, is going to have a high PTAL rating.
If we’re gonna build mini-Manhattans? Here is one of the few places to do it.
Developing by transport hubs is ideal and this location, opposite the tube station, is going to have a high PTAL rating.
If we’re gonna build mini-Manhattans? Here is one of the few places to do it.
The site is an Opportunity Area marked by the London Plan where intensification is encouraged and tall buildings are deemed appropriate. Understandably, and probably due to this, Merton’s emerging Local Plan has removed the reference to height limits based on Britannia Point.
SM has been a remarkable voice in Parliament highlighting the plight of families facing the brunt of the house crises. She’s been one of the rare politicians to loudly champion Green Belt reform. All in all, she’s one the most prominent champions of ‘we need to build’ sentiments.
While working in Parliament, I was struck at just how quiet MPs were on house building and reform. For any London MP, their most frequent casework matters - evictions, overcrowding, poor housing/repairs, benefit/rent shortfalls - are consequences of the housing crisis.
Actually, I found it appalling. Nobody, apart from Robert Halfron, Siobhain McDonagh, Karen Buck excluded, seemed to be trying to campaign on these issue in a sustained sense - let alone try and find common ground with Government on reforms (don’t get me started on that).
But to see Siobhain come out against this application for 266 new homes. This isn’t just an issue of politicians caving to localised opposition. It’s more than that, it’s about a pessimism that the housing market is so broken that it cannot even be fixed. https://twitter.com/siobhain_mc/status/1361739652332453890
For example, SM is right on Help to Buy and it’s true that we’re not providing fast enough quantity. The lack/slow pace of building means it is a sellers market atm, and families squeeze into whatever they can get. But that’s exactly why we need build these new homes in Merton.
There needs to be a huge conversation on ‘the Left’ about the importance of supply and demand in housing. How driving up supply in area where demand is most acute will lower prices, and give families more choice to secure the home they need. https://twitter.com/mrjkilcoyne/status/1361739161179475968
The housing market is broken and SM is so right to highlight the farce in which our taxes pump billions into hands of private landlords. But this again highlights the need to build new market rate housing and affordable housing at the scale needed to push rents down. https://twitter.com/siobhain_mc/status/1361746817159999494
I personally wouldn’t like the lack of balconies or opening windows high-up but many renters will accept those trade-offs. It might also be a trade off needed for that social housing to be built, otherwise argue for off-site social housing contribution. Just don’t reject it all.
I must admit I am disappointed to see @Worldcuptour come out against this proposal in his ward before it’s come to committee. I thought he was one of the rare local government voices who aligned with me on these matters and ourcneed to build more market rate housing.
@Siobhain_Mc is a fierce fighter for housing justice. I just disagree with her stance on this matter. Fortunately she’s one of the few politicians I’ve witnessed who is willing to engage with and listen to voices that might not always be her natural allies (see Greenbelt reform)
It would be great to see her team sit down and around the table with @PricedOutUK @JustBuildHomes and hear their stance on developments like this, which will only become more and more common in constituencies just like Mitcham & Morden.
With the new London Plan and hopefully with the new Merton Local Plan, South Wimbledon and Colliers Wood will see important densification and new well-designed clusters of tall housing where suitable. I hope local politicians work constructively to make this happen.
