Merton Council has begun construction on the borough’s first new council homes ‘in a generation’, aiming to deliver 400 by 2027.
While the move is seen as a step towards tackling the housing crisis, critics argue it’s taking too long and costing too much.
Like many councils across the UK, Merton is facing a housing shortage, particularly for temporary accommodation, as demand continues to rise. In response, Merton Council has pledged to build 400 new affordable homes across the borough to help meet this need.
The initial construction phase will take place at four locations across the borough and, when the 93 homes are complete, they will represent the first new council homes in 40 years. Work will start at Farm Road Church in Morden.
In addition to the Morden site, council homes will be built at Elm Nursery Car Park, Raleigh Gardens Car Park, and land at Canons, Madeira Road, in Mitcham. The homes will be designed to align with PassivHaus principles, focusing on green design and energy efficiency to reduce living costs for tenants.
Demolition work is already under way at Farm Road Church, clearing the site for construction to begin later this year. Contractor DDS Demolition has committed to ensuring the work is carried out safely, with measures in place to reduce dust, avoid traffic disruption, and protect the environment, the council says.
An ecology survey confirmed that no roosting bats were found on the site, and demolition work is being carried out when bats are least active to protect local wildlife. The developments are supported by a multimillion-pound investment from the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes programme for 2021-2026.
Following the project tender announcement last October, Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, said: “With over 10,500 people on the waiting list in Merton alone, it’s crucial we build more council homes.”
He praised the government’s ‘ambitious’ target of 1.5 million new homes, many of which are social housing. He continued: “Historically, we’ve only met housing targets when councils lead the way. We’re taking that lead now, and by the time these homes are completed, we’ll have built up valuable experience. We should be building better homes than the private sector.”
Despite this progress, Merton’s Lib Dem opposition criticised the council’s delays and ‘overspending’ on the housing project, pointing out that, two years in, not a single home has been delivered. At last Wednesday’s budget meeting (February 26), they highlighted that fewer than a quarter of the original target is planned this year, suggesting there is no clear plan for the remaining 307 homes.
The affordability of the new homes was also under scrutiny. Each house now costs £611,505, nearly double the original budget, now set at £57 million. They also noted that these homes won’t be used for temporary accommodation, leaving the ongoing displacement crisis unresolved.
Meanwhile, the opposition also proposed building 100 modular homes at £27,000 each to reduce the ‘soaring’ costs of temporary housing. Councillor Anthony Fairclough, Leader of the Merton Lib Dems, said: “Merton Council has repeatedly over-promised and under-delivered. We need housing solutions now, not broken promises. Modular homes are cheaper, quicker to build, and offer a real solution.”
The Labour-led council voted against this proposal. Council Leader Ross Garrod described the demolition at Farm Road Church as a milestone in the borough’s housing efforts. He said: “We’re committed to ensuring these new homes provide a good and decent quality of life for all new residents.”
Councillor Judge added: “We’re very proud to see the work get under way in building our first new council homes. Merton’s new council homes will help relieve some of the pressure on our local housing crisis, transforming the lives of individuals and families in the borough by supplying quality, affordable housing that people are proud to call home. We’re focused on making the new developments as energy-efficient as possible so residents will benefit from warmer homes and lower energy costs.”
DDS Demolition’s Contracts Manager, Dylan Lovelock, emphasised the project’s significance. He said: “This milestone represents a real commitment to the community and dedication to providing much-needed homes for families and future generations.”
