Council hint on Dons return to SW19 (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Merton Council hint on Dons return to SW19

11:10am Friday 20th January 2012 in Drop The Dons By Craig Burnett

Council hint on Dons return to SW19

Buried within Merton Council’s new planning document is a hint the authority is keen for AFC Wimbledon to bring football back to SW19.

A list of sites earmarked for development includes Wimbledon Greyhound stadium in Plough Lane, and the council states its preferred use for the site – which is metres from the former home of Wimbledon FC – is an “intensification of sporting activity”.

The authority has previously said it was in talks with AFC about a return to the borough, but would not reveal details of possible sites.

The sites and policies development plan also suggested Colliers Wood Library could move up the road to the Colliers Wood community centre – which is earmarked for rebuilding as a mixture of community and residential space.

It features plans to rebuild or improve libraries in West Barnes, Mitcham and Wimbledon – something that could be paid for by adding residential units to the library sites.

There are also signs that a proposed tram line from Mitcham and Morden to Sutton is being seriously considered by planning officers, with notes on some site entries revealing land would need to be retained for the expanded tram network.

Also lined up for development are car parks across the borough – including those at York Close in Morden, Morden station, Queens Road in Wimbledon and Raleigh Gardens in Mitcham.

Other sites listed include the five-storey YMCA building in Wimbledon Broadway, the Bond Road Day Nursery in Mitcham, Merton Hall in Wimbledon, Gifford House in Morden and the Morden Assembly Hall.

For a full list see merton.gov.uk/environment/planning/planningpolicy/ldf/sites_policies_dpd.htm.