Last Updated on 19 March 2026
Planning Application Statistics
During 2025, the Wimbledon Society Planning & Environment Committee reviewed 120 planning applications and objected to 45 of those.
Planning & Other Policy Issues
The AELTC planning application to develop the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course continues to occupy our time. The latest development has been the case brought by AELTC against SWP to establish whether or not a Statutory Trust exists over the land and which started on 16 January 2026. The decision is expected in 2-3 months.
Of other planning applications, the most significant, from the point of view of changing our area as a whole, was the redevelopment of the Rainbow Industrial Estate, Raynes Park for housing. We objected on the grounds:
- Poor access via Station Approach
- Insufficient affordable housing
- Quality of housing provided (single aspect homes)
There is an increasing trend towards developers consulting community groups before submitting a formal planning application. Significant such consultations in 2025 were:
- Thornton Mews
- Kings College Prep School (formerly St. Ursuline prep), The Downs
- St. George’s House East
- 12 Hartfield Road
We commented on all of these. The greatest impact on our area would be St. George’s House, where the height and bulk of the proposed buildings will affect the character of Wimbledon Town Centre.
All London Councils are under pressure from London and Central Government for ‘densification’: increasing building density and heights. This pressure is supported by house building targets. It is hard to see how building the housing, definitely needed in the city, and improving and retaining the character of places in London, can both be achieved.
The Society has played a major role in securing funding and Council permission to have the Hanbury Fountain, formerly on Parkside, restored and moved to a new location opposite the Rose & Crown.
Environmental Issues
We have continued working the Merton Council’s Climate Action Team and sent them our comments on the Climate Change Report Year 5.
Merton’s Tree Department now seems to be fully staffed and we are trying engaging with them to discuss our concerns about the state of the Borough’s tree stocks.
We conducted a survey of Society members to help understand their priorities regarding our environment. More than 160 replies were received. The issues that produced the highest levels of concern were:
- Open spaces
- Tree stocks
- Heritage & conservation
- Climate change
- Air quality
The results are being analysed further to help frame our future work and policies.
We commented on Merton’s draft Walking & Cycling Strategy and we are part of the Independent Merton Green Spaces Forum which has been engaging with Merton Council on the new contract to manage our Parks and green spaces
