Chairman's Blog - November 2025

Our Open meeting at Motspur Park, held in the Blossom House School in October 2025, was attended by some 100 local people and included the following issues:

ARTIFICIAL PLAYING SURFACE

The Merton Head of Sport & Leisure, David Gentles, spoke about the Council’s suggested proposal to build an artificial playing surface on the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field. This proposal met lots of opposition from the meeting, on the basis that it would destroy its open aspect, although one speaker who organises  football matches for adults and children pointed out that too many days were being lost because of unusable grass pitches

GAS HOLDER SITE   

The meeting was held on 14th October just before the registration of the plans by Berkeley Homes to demolish the gas holders, and to build high rise apartments in their place.  The site is in the borough of Kingston, but the plans have major implications for residents in both Merton and Sutton.

Councillor Stuart Neaverson, Merton Cabinet Member, was present and explained that Merton and Sutton residents are able to make both individual and group representations to Kingston. Great concern was voiced, inter alia, at the proposed height of the buildings, the access for lorries during the demolition and construction phases, which would take many years, and the vehicle access thereafter.

PLANNING APPLICATION AT 208-212 BURLINGTON ROAD One of our Road Stewards, John Nicholson, has pointed out that the application has been approved by officers using delegated powers. He says, rightly, that it ought to have been placed on the agenda for a meeting of the Planning Committee, given the number and strength of the objections and since it was categorised as a major development on the site notice and in the published statutory notice. He has lodged a formal complaint with the planning department and requested sight of relevant documents under the Freedom of Information Act. 

John Elvidge – Chair RPWBRA