New images have revealed the scale of a controversial retail and residential redevelopment at Mitcham’s Majestic Way, with revised plans now set to be considered by Merton Council. Critics believe the redevelopment remains at odds with the council's own building guidelines and will 'without a doubt affect the mood of the area'.
Revised Plans Largely Unchanged
The proposals from Clarion Housing would replace vacant retail units along one side of Majestic Way and redevelop the former Morrisons site and nearby multi-storey car park. The development would provide 249 homes in blocks of up to 11 storeys, alongside retail space and community facilities. According to planning documents, the revised application remains 'substantially similar to the originally submitted application', with only minor design amendments and a larger area set aside for community use. Updated CGI renderings reveal how the development would appear from key town centre viewpoints, with the blocks towering above the existing skyline.
Divided Opinions on Regeneration
The scale of the scheme has continued to divide opinion since it was first proposed in 2024. While supporters argue it would regenerate a tired site and provide much-needed housing in the centre of Mitcham, opponents say the revised plans do little to address the concerns raised when the scheme was first unveiled. In a joint letter to Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod, local civic groups Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage (MCGCH) and the Mitcham Society argued the amendments were 'no more than cosmetic', noting that even Clarion acknowledges the limited change in the revised application.
Conflict with Local Plan
Despite praising the council's recent efforts to revitalise Mitcham through its Local Plan – which guides local design – the groups said the Clarion redevelopment was 'in fundamental conflict' with the same plan and 'bore no relation' to its vision for the Majestic Way site. Criticism was also directed at Clarion's revised design, with the groups dismissing claims the development was 'truly Mitcham'. They wrote: 'White stripes and 'Dutch gables' on an 11-storey monolith cannot in all seriousness be said to draw any inspiration from the low-rise Mitcham townscape. The result is an insult to Mitcham's character.'
Community Space and School Concerns
The revisions to the expanded community space also came under fire, with the groups arguing it still opens directly onto a lorry service bay and incorporates a corridor that was originally intended for bin storage. They also echoed concerns raised by local headteachers over the impact on St Mark's Primary School, which sits at the foot of the site on St Mark's Road. They quoted the headteachers' warnings that the development would be 'completely over-bearing, over-dominating and without a doubt affect the mood of the area', while also increasing overlooking of the school.
Call for Major Rethink
The groups said the proposals now require a 'major rethink' to bring them into line with the Local Plan, which took seven years to develop and agree. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Tony Burton, Secretary of MCGCH, said: 'These monstrous plans for Majestic Way have no place in Mitcham. Clarion needs to go back to the drawing board and produce plans for shops, community facilities and affordable homes that respect Mitcham's village character. We call on ward councillors, our MP and all who share our concerns to write in to Merton Council's planners and object. The time to act is now.'
Clarion's Response
A Clarion Housing Group spokesperson said: 'In the last year alone, Merton Council have had to spend over £20 million on the costs of temporary accommodation. The housing crisis is real and impacting many households across the borough and beyond. We are proud to have submitted plans to deliver a new development on Majestic Way in Mitcham which is 100% social housing, with these homes being directly for Merton residents who are in temporary accommodation or on the council's waiting list.' Councillors will be considering the plans in the near future and we look forward to the opportunity to make our case to support Merton residents get out of temporary accommodation and into a secure home of their own.
Next Steps
Planning officers will consider the amended application before making a recommendation to councillors. Members of the public can continue to comment on the proposals by quoting planning reference 25/P2282 before a decision is made.
