A “shoddy” deal to sell off a council-owned pub and turn it into flats could be reignited after a property developer launched an appeal to have its planning application reconsidered.
Reef Estates has appealed to the Government to overturn a decision by Merton Council’s planning committee to reject their application to build flats and shops on the site of the Morden Tavern in Central Road, Morden.
In January, Merton’s planning committee, made up elected councillors, rejected the plan, which was integral to a deal made between council officers and the developer to sell the site for a rumoured £1m.
A spokesman for the group said: “We are aware the planning department favours the development, but planning officials are forgetting that they are there to serve elected councillors and the people of Morden.
“The Morden Tavern affair has uncovered numerous examples of shoddy practice by the borough's planning department, as confirmed by the Audit Commission and Local Government Ombudsmen, and this is yet another example.”
No further investigations were launched into how council officers decided to market the pub, which is currently leased by the developer at a peppercorn rent after they acquired the leasehold in 2010.
Got a story for us? Call 020 8722 6333, tweet @WimbledonNews or email: newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel