Campaigners Aim To Raise Funds To Buy Merton Hall


Controversial renovation work goes on despite community protest

Campaigners fighting against controversial redevelopment on Merton Hall in South Wimbledon are understood to have told the council they will bid to buy the building.

Work began last month to convert the historic building in Kingston Road so it can be used by the Elim Church. In return the church will free up their existing building in High Path to help enable a new Harris Academy free school to be built on the site.

It has already been listed as an Asset of Community Value and now campaigners are understood to have stated their intention to bid for the building before the April 26 deadline. This triggers a moratorium for six months to give community groups chance to raise funds to purchase the building.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition calling on Merton Council stop the work on Merton Hall, but a digger has been on site this week as workmen continue to take down sections of the building.

Last week campaigners were angry that the developers began removing the 19th century roof tiles from the building, which were thrown to the ground and destroyed, rather than being salvaged.

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April 27, 2018