The Leader of Merton Council has rebuked strong criticism from Wandsworth Council as the latest consultation over the AFC Wimbledon stadium draws to a close.
In a statement released on their website, Wandsworth Council urged the Mayor of London not to hand the final decision on the stadium back to Merton but to make an impartial decision himself, arguing that “Merton gets all the gain while Wandsworth gets all the pain”.
However, the Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, has said Wandsworth need to remember that Merton have the authority on planning applications in their own borough.
The multi-million pound plans were unanimously approved by Merton Council’s planning committee in December last year, but were controversially called-in for further consultation by the former Mayor of London Boris Johnson in March due to “significant issues of controversy”.
But, on July 27, the new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced that he had formally asked to reverse the decision to ‘call in’ the plans for the stadium in Plough Lane, and hand the planning decision back to Merton Council.
Now Wandsworth Council have formally called on former Tooting MP Mr Khan to determine the application – which includes a 20,000 seater stadium (beginning as 11,000), 602 homes and a range of retail, leisure and outdoor space – himself, arguing that Merton Council are not able to make an impartial decision.
In an open letter addressed to the Mayor, the planning chairman for Wandworth Council, Councillor Sarah McDermott, says: “It continues to be Wandsworth Borough Council’s opinion that a number of issues, particularly the impact of the development on public transport infrastructure, are unresolved.
“Given the scale of the development and the direct and significant impact on the residents of Wandsworth, I remain of the firm view that this matter requires an additional degree of scrutiny and assessment by an impartial organisation.
An artists' impression of the new stadium. Photo: Sheppard Robson Architects
“The fundamental problem with this development is that Merton gets all the gain while Wandsworth gets all the pain.”
She added: “Merton has already stated very publicly that it wants the football club to return, but that cannot be at the expense of residents and businesses in Wandsworth, and nor can this be at any cost.
“There are very valid and sincerely held concerns about this application and these need to be examined dispassionately, objectively and impartially.
“Merton have demonstrated that they cannot do this. It is therefore the job of the Mayor to do so.”
However, Cllr Alambritis insists that the views of residents and councillors both sides of the border have been taken into consideration.
He said: “It’s important to note, and we would remind Wandsworth Council, of the sovereignty of the local authority over their planning applications.
“We have gone out of our way to engage with Wandsworth Council and their residents. If I was Wandsworth, I would be pretty happy with Merton Council, and I would remind them the planning application received unanimous support and that it will regenerate the area.
“This is all politics and sadly engendered by Boris Johnson who is no longer there to deal with it.
We may need to remind Wandsworth that Boris Johnson admitted he may have made a mistake in calling it in.”
Cllr Alambritis added: “We are hopeful we will get the application back and Sadiq Khan will right the grievous wrong inflicted by the previous Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and that it will be put back on track. We look forward to receiving the application back to its rightful owners, and that’s the London Borough of Merton.
“We are always mindful to keep talking with Wandsworth and be neighbourly with our neighbours, but they need to respect the London Borough of Merton is the sovereign planning authority.”
Representations on Mr Khan’s request to hand the decision back to Merton Council must be received by tomorrow, Wednesday, August 10.
To make a representation, email planningadmin@london.gov.uk or write to Development & Projects PP18, Greater London Authority, City Hall, More London, SE1 2AA.
To read Wandsworth Council's full statement, click here
What do you think? Email letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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