Morden Tube station set to have seven-storey hotel for company
By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter
Merton council has accepted plans for a seven-storey hotel to be built metres away from Morden Tube station, signalling what some have called “the first major development in Morden in decades”.
The new ‘neo-deco’ design hotel will house 85 bedrooms, a ground-floor restaurant and customer parking. The new building will dominate the low-rise Morden skyline, along with the nearby Civic Centre.
The site at 18-22 Crown Lane currently houses three vacant retail units which were formally occupied by an opticians, hair salon and undertakers. A parking plot currently constitutes the rear of the properties.
At a council planning meeting last Thursday, Merton councillors voted in favour of the plans.
Chief among the objections raised were the increased traffic and noise brought by the hotel, as well as fears it would increase the already pronounced wind tunnel effect in central Morden.
Independent councillor Stephen Mercer spoke of the hotel’s height as his main bone of contention with the plans. Cllr Mercer, the sole opponent of the plans, told the committee to ask themselves: “Would you like to live next to a building three times the height of your home?”
Mr Mercer, along with other councillors, said its height would inevitably mean that some of the potential hotel guests would be able to see into the gardens of neighbouring residential properties.
The applicant said they have considered this privacy issue and have adapted their designs to mitigate against this possibility.
Mr Mercer also expressed his wider concerns with what he called “excessive development” in a Change.org petition published earlier this month.
Despite the objections, many were in favour of the plans. Merton resident Louise Troubridge took to Facebook to show her support for the plans. She said: “They have been discussing it for years. I can see why in theory it could be a good spot.”
An official start date for construction has not yet been announced.
Merton council has been approached for comment.
Pictured top: 18-22 Crown Lane, which is currently occupied by three vacant retail units (Picture: Google Street View)
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