Plans are apparently afoot to double the number of homes on the biggest estate in south Wimbledon.
In a bid to kick start a massive regeneration project, Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) is looking to build approximately 1,250 homes on the High Path Estate, which has 608 properties. Currently 357 are occupied by social housing tenants.
The idea is to demolish existing homes and rebuild them with an extra 600 properties – but this will happen only if Merton Council accepts a planning application due to be submitted in Autumn next year.
The plans propose a stunning new layout – including Victorian-style terraces and tree-lined streets with a park in the centre. Private outdoor spaces will be in every home, with a front or rear garden; balcony or roof terrace. Properties will be eight storeys high – currently they are eleven. As well as this; there will be a range of shops, cycle routes and better transport connections.
As to whether the project will go ahead remains to be seen. Residents have raised concerns at the consultation about the number of tall buildings and the financial offer for leaseholders and freeholders; as new-built homes will probably be more expensive than current properties.
From our point of view, we think that regeneration is always a positive thing if it’s likely to improve the area and the residents are treated fairly.
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Image credit: Jason Lawson
