Morden town centre is set to be transformed with a £30million initial investment, with residents offering mixed responses to the plans.
Over the next 10 to 15 years, the plan proposes to provide new homes, opportunities and green spaces in a bid to create what the council name London’s “Southern Gateway”.
The “Remaking Morden” scheme, originally proposed in 2024, reached a major milestone last week as Merton council announced plans to secure a development partner.
Residents of Morden have expressed varied opinions on the developments.
Morden-born Michael, 61, said: “The council have been promising a regeneration scheme forever. Before the pandemic they talked about a ten-year regeneration, but still nothing has changed.”
Major construction is still yet to begin.
The development partner is expected to be appointed towards the end of 2027, after which detailed plans will be developed and put through the planning process while members of the community will be consulted.
“I just don’t want anyone who was born here to be priced out”, Michael said. “My grandchildren are growing up here and the house prices are steep enough already. They said they’re building housing but how affordable will it be?”
Merton council said that providing new and affordable homes is an important part of their regeneration process, but it has not yet confirmed how many homes are set to be built.
Morden’s independent business owners face their own challenges, with one sharing their own concerns: “I don’t really know what to think about [the plan]. Obviously, more people coming to the area is good for business, but I don’t want more chains around here as there’s already enough on the high street.”
Others have expressed more optimistic views about the redevelopment.
Jessica, a 23-year-old from the surrounding Merton area, said: “I haven’t heard of the plans, but it sounds very exciting. I live near Morden and I come through here often.
“It would be nice to see investment into more social spaces like music venues or clubs. It feels like Morden isn’t well suited to younger people.”
With Morden’s remake expected to take several years, the people of Morden and Merton borough will be closely following the proposed developments – and whether the council’s promises translate to real change.
To read more about the developments, click here.
Featured image credit: Thomas Hill
