By Jenny Jones AM (Green Party, London Assembly; 2012 candidate for London Mayor)
The closure of the Morden Tavern by Reef Estates with the threat to change its use to shops and build on the garden with houses and flats is a terrible blow to the community of St Helier.
The removal of such a popular community amenity, so close to the Willows development of 265 units less than 100 yards away, will mean overdevelopment of this area of the estate.
Since the 1930s, the Morden Tavern has been a place for the local community of St Helier to meet and socialise.
It is unique for having a large garden and two function rooms for the community to use.
In this capacity, it has been the venue for countless wedding, birthday parties and other celebrations over the years and has established many fond memories across the generations in St Helier.
The garden has provided a great safe play space for local families to enjoy whilst socialising.
Even more disappointing, and worrying, is the discovery that Merton Council apparently has an agreement to sell the freehold of the Morden Tavern to Reef Estates allowing them almost unhindered rights of use and redevelopment potential for the rumoured sum of £2.1million.
It is wrong that a council elected to serve a community such as St Helier should allow a large profit-seeking business to sway them into accepting the loss of such an important part of their community simply for some short-term gain.
The loss of this community amenity, green space and the strain that yet more housing will place on the local services, such as schools, sewers and roads, shows an unacceptable lack of concern for the existing St Helier residents and a distorted focus on simply making money at other people's expense.
The damage to the environment, with the additional carbon release from demolition and ‘new’ build, is another example of unnecessary climate pollution and non-sustainable development in London.
Of course London needs more housing, but it also needs local pubs which are as vital as libraries and swimming pools which help bond our communities and make life in the city tolerable.
I call upon the councillors of Merton to reject any planning application for the Morden Tavern estate which does not preserve the pub and its garden for future generations of the local community to enjoy.
Send your letter to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Get regular news updates by:
Liking our Facebook page
Following us on Twitter...or click here to receive a daily e-mail news bulletin.
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 here