Huge 13-storey block of flats could be built on a former soft play centre
By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter
A huge 13-storey block of flats could be built on a former soft play centre in Colliers Wood.
Last week, Merton Council gave backed plans for a block of 116 flats in Station Road.
Due to the building’s height it will be passed on to the Mayor of London to make the final decision.
A planning committee on Thursday night (October 21) heard from locals against the plans.
Resident Emma-Claire Hanley said: “The proposal would dominate the area, it will be clearly visible from the public realm and significantly change the skyline.
“It would adversely harm this residential area of mostly two-storey Edwardian cottages.
“Our homes would be completely overlooked due to design and height and overhanging balconies leading to complete loss of privacy for houses and gardens in Mill Road.”
The development would be made up of two blocks of 10 and 13-storeys.
The site is currently home to a warehouse building which used to be Eddie Katz soft play centre.
The existing building occupying the site is a double-storey warehouse building, formerly used as a children’s soft-play facility and currently used for charitable community outreach programmes.
The lower block will be made up of 46 affordable flats with 70 flats in the other block for private sale.
Overall the plans received 66 letters of objection as well as a petition signed by 205. There were also 43 letters of support.
The plans were submitted by Hadley Property Group and at the meeting, Jay Gort of Gort Scott Architects said: “The massing has been carefully considered with the tallest element of slender proportions therefore forming a pleasing silhouette to the skyline.”
Abbey ward councillor Eleanor Stringer said the area is changing “significantly” with other developments in the area, including the High Path Estate redevelopment.
The plans were backed by the planning committee with five votes for and four against.
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