Policy information sourced from the Merton Estates Local Plan.

EP H8 Building Heights

a) General building height: The existing estate suffers from a mix of discordant characters, due to the wide variety in heights, styles and siting of the buildings. Redevelopment of the estate must create a consistent character that fits in harmoniously with the surrounding development. A consistency in building heights is important in achieving this. The prevailing height across the estate must be lower than the existing heights along Morden Road, but could be moderately higher than the existing heights in the more sensitive areas of High Path, Abbey Road, Rodney Place and Merton High Street.

Building heights must be based on a comprehensive townscape appraisal and visual assessment which builds on the analysis included in this document. Any strategy for building heights must make a positive contribution to the existing townscape, character and local distinctiveness of the area.

Taller buildings may be considered appropriate to facilitate intensified use of the site. Such buildings must be located appropriately and relate well to the surrounding context and public realm, particularly at street level.

b) Merton High Street: Buildings fronting Merton High Street must be of a scale that relates well to the building heights on the north side. They must not result in a lop-sided feel to the street or create unacceptable shadowing or blocking of sunlight. They must contribute to ‘mending’ the high street and stitching the estate seamlessly back into the existing urban fabric.

c) Morden Road: Land around the Tube station and Morden Road is part of the focus of activity and uses in the local area. The street is quite wide and taller buildings are beginning to be built along Morden Road. This is the most suitable location on the estate for the tallest buildings and cues must be taken from emerging buildings to guide what is appropriate. Along Morden Road a consistent height must be sought, which is complementary to creating a boulevard feel to the street. The transition between new taller buildings on the Morden Road edge of the estate and new lower buildings further east into the estate and the effects on the visual environment should be properly managed and designed.

d) Abbey Road: Buildings on the west side of Abbey Road must relate well to the existing housing on the east side and newer flats on the west side. Building heights should help create a consistent feel to the street, integrate well visually with the existing housing and not create a lop-sided feel to the street. It is likely these will be lower in height than the buildings in the main part of the site.

e) High Path: High Path currently lacks a sense of enclosure as the buildings along it do not address the street. New development should rectify this. There is scope to reinforce the narrow enclosure and intimate feel of this street particularly from Morden Road to Pincott Road. Building heights along High Path must reflect its historic character as a narrow historic street and ensure that it sensitively takes account of the setting of St John the Divine Church.

For more information, please see the Estates Local Plan.