Key Points
- Council Decision: Merton Council’s Development and Planning Applications Committee approved a controversial 249-home social housing redevelopment in Mitcham.
- Developer and Scope: Led by housing association Clarion, the Majestic Way project will deliver 100% affordable social rent homes across blocks reaching up to 11 storeys on the former Morrisons site by 2029.
- Design Revisions: The scheme follows two years of modifications after receiving an initial “red warning” from the council’s Design Review Panel in 2025 regarding overdevelopment.
- Community Benefits: The development includes 1,308 square metres of commercial space, 423 square metres of community space, 110 homes prioritised for Eastfields Estate decant residents, and a 71% cut in carbon emissions.
- Severe Criticism: Heritage and civic groups, notably Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage (MCGCH), slammed the approval as a “sad day” and argued the design violates Merton’s own Local Plan height restrictions.
London (The Londoner News) August 4, 2026 — Merton Council has greenlit a contentious 249-home social housing redevelopment in Mitcham, clearing the path for blocks that will introduce the tallest structures the town centre has ever seen. The Majestic Way project, spearheaded by housing association Clarion, promises entirely affordable housing alongside updated community facilities and refreshed retail spaces on the vacant former Morrisons site, with completion targeted for 2029. While developers champion the blueprint as a vital remedy for local housing shortages, local preservationists argue the endorsement flagrantly contradicts the borough’s designated planning policies.
Why is the Majestic Way development so controversial?
The project has drawn sharp criticism from local heritage advocates who argue the scale of the buildings fundamentally damages the historic character of Mitcham.
As reported by journalist Noah Vickers of The Evening Standard, Tony Burton, Secretary of the civic group Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage (MCGCH), condemned the outcome, stating that the approval marked
“a sad day not only for Mitcham but for the whole of the borough.”
Elaborating on these objections to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) as noted by The Evening Standard, Tony Burton stated that
“The harsh reality is that Clarion’s development is in fundamental conflict with multiple policies in the Local Plan.”
Furthermore, Tony Burton remarked to the LDRS that once finished, the project will be “by far” the tallest set of buildings in Mitcham, surpassing even the upcoming Mitcham Gasworks development.
Addressing the committee during the hearing, Tony Burton reminded councillors of prior commitments, stating:
“We were reassured when Council Leader Ross Garrod wrote to us saying: ‘Like you, I believe any plans for Majestic Way should reflect the ambitions of the Local Plan, delivering high-quality design that is in keeping with the area and its heritage.’”
In addition, critics raised deep concerns regarding potential overheating, severe overshadowing at the neighboring St Mark’s Primary School, and the prolonged vacancy of retail spots since the closure of Morrisons in March 2023.
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What do the approved housing and commercial plans entail?
Despite local pushback, the application secured formal clearance during a Merton Council Development and Planning Applications Committee meeting.
As detailed by The Barnet Press and The Evening Standard, Clarion’s Director of Major Projects, Brian Ham, defended the evolution of the layout before the committee, stating:
“This is now a design for Mitcham, responding to the town centre’s character and identity.”
The scheme will deliver a mix of one to four-bedroom homes distributed across structures rising up to 11 storeys. Crucially, 110 of these units will be set aside for tenants moving out from Clarion’s ageing Eastfields Estate.
Speaking in favour of the project at the committee meeting, Councillor Nedra Daniels emphasized the pressing nature of the local housing crisis, noting that the initiative directly targets the “dire housing need in the borough,” which features a social housing waiting list exceeding 10,000 households.
In terms of commercial infrastructure, the project incorporates 1,308 square metres of commercial floor space and 423 square metres dedicated to community use, effectively expanding the existing Majestic Way shopping street. Discussing the retail strategy, Brian Ham told MyLondon via The Barnet Press that the developer hopes to attract independent traders rather than corporate chains, noting a preference for “an independent coffee shop” over brands like Costa, alongside a prospective banking hub. However, Brian Ham pushed back against requests for discounted commercial rents, arguing that doing so would treat existing high street traders unfairly.
How has the design evolved following previous warnings?
The path to approval has been protracted, stretching across two years of extensive consultations and revisions. Initial concepts were heavily penalized in 2025 when the council’s Design Review Panel issued a formal “red warning” over concerns regarding overdevelopment and a lack of harmony with Mitcham’s architectural identity.
Subsequent iterations modified the massing, public realm components, and biodiversity provisions, eventually winning a more favorable review ahead of the July committee vote.
Environmental commitments integrated into the approved blueprint include a 71% reduction in carbon emissions, supported by air source heat pumps, solar panels, energy-efficient ventilation, and the plantation of 68 new trees to compensate for those removed.
Furthermore, the scheme adopts a “car-lite” framework, allocating just 25 parking spaces—inclusive of seven disabled bays and two car club slots featuring electric vehicle charging points—alongside over 300 cycle storage spots and highway modifications such as a new roundabout at St Mark’s Road.
Clarion has also pledged £60,000 to assist local town centre projects throughout the construction phase, with demolition works tentatively scheduled to commence in February 2027 ahead of the 2029 delivery date.
What is the wider context of Clarion’s regeneration in Merton?
The Majestic Way approval represents a single piece of a much broader urban renewal strategy executed by the housing association across South London.
As highlighted in official corporate disclosures published by Clarion Housing Group, Richard Cook, Group Director of Development at Clarion, welcomed the local authority’s decision. Richard Cook stated:
“This is a huge step forward for Mitcham and for the families across Merton who need a safe, affordable place to call home.”
Further expanding on the corporate vision for the area, Richard Cook noted:
“Majestic Way will deliver 249 new Social Rent homes at a time when they are needed more than ever, alongside a stronger high street and a new community space at the heart of the town centre. This is about investing in Mitcham’s high street as much as it is about new homes.”
Richard Cook added that the developer has “worked hard with Merton’s officers, local residents and the Design Review Panel to get this right,” emphasizing that the initiative forms part of Clarion’s wider £2bn regeneration framework across the borough, which aims to yield upwards of 2,800 homes while reinforcing its long-term management footprint of roughly 10,000 properties locally.
