New figures reveal annual housebuilding targets in Merton are set to treble in one of the largest increases in London.

The figures released by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, show that the annual target for the number of new homes being built in the borough is now 1,328, up from 411 - which is a total of 13,280 to be built over the next ten years.

And 65 per cent of the homes need to be "affordable," according to the Mayor's office at City Hall.

Merton Council cabinet member for regeneration, environment and housing, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “We fully support the call for more affordable housing in London and are working with the Greater London Authority to ensure that Merton’s share of the London target for new homes is both challenging and achievable.

"We want to toughen up on developers, hold them to account and challenge them when they fall short of their affordable housing commitment, which is why we’re working with the Mayor of London to ensure the planning process is as transparent as possible.”

Meanwhile, Merton Council's Local Plan has called for more land to be released for new housing, for more blocks of flats and for increases in density.

Tony Burton, of community group Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage said: “This is a startling increase in housebuilding rates for Merton. We need to be sure it doesn’t put the things that we call care about in the heritage and green spaces of our local area at risk.

“New homes need to be built but far more should be affordable and we need Merton Council to demand better design."

Figures released by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan at the end of October revealed that London needs to build 66,000 new homes every year to meet the growing need.