Merton Council OKs Homes Without Affordability

Merton Council recently gave the green light for the redevelopment of the Mitcham Gasworks site in south-west London, a project that will yield 626 new homes. Notably, none of these new residences will be designated as affordable housing, a decision that has drawn significant criticism.

Councillors themselves acknowledged the approval was 'regrettable,' particularly in light of the pressing need for affordable housing in the eastern parts of the borough. The developer, St William, explained that the commitment to provide 35% affordable housing was retracted because they were unable to secure the required grant funding to make it financially viable.

This outcome has been met with dismay by local community groups. Tony Burton, secretary of Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage, expressed strong disapproval, stating that it is 'unconscionable' for the largest housing development in Mitcham in a generation to exclude affordable housing options.