Last Updated on 11 February 2023
The High Path Estate adjoins South Wimbledon Underground Station and borders Merton High St and Morden Road. It was developed between the 1950s and 1980s and comprises just over 600 homes varying between 3-storey houses and 12-storey tower blocks.
The process of redeveloping the estate has already begun. The latest planning application covers the demolition and rebuilding of the north-western corner of the estate, immediately adjoining the tube station on both sides. Outline planning permission has already been approved, including for buildings of up to 10 storeys.
In our view, the plans for this area contain significant design faults. Many of the apartments are single-aspect (windows only facing in one direction) thus preventing cross-ventilation. This is contrary to planning guidance in the London Plan.
The proposed block fronting Morden Road would be 11 storeys tall and would face modern blocks on the opposite side of the road creating a “canyon” effect. Other blocks would be so close together as to infringe normal standards of daylighting. Internally, the flats would open on to narrow corridors with no natural lighting.
We have objected to this over-development, and you can read our letter here.
