A series of consultations in February and March will give Colliers Wood residents an opportunity to comment on how they would like their local area improved. Colliers Wood Councillors, Nick Draper, Sheila Knight and George Reynolds will host the sessions with Morden MP Siobhan McDonagh.

Merton Council has provided planning permission for a number of new developments in Colliers Wood and in turn has negotiated a range of planning obligations (known as ‘section 106 agreements’). These agreements mean money is secured from developers for improvements to the local community and therefore ensure the public will benefit from any impact a new development may have.

Community feedback is now required into how these funds could be used. Improvements could include more community facilities, recreation amenities, town centre management initiatives, economic development schemes, further CCTV coverage or new public spaces, landscaping or public art.

The Council also welcomes the thoughts of residents on how they see Colliers Wood looking like in the future to assist in the preparation of a Local Development Framework (LDF), which will replace the current development plan in 2008.

Colliers Wood residents are encouraged to attend one of the sessions below, to share their ideas and suggestions.

Saturday 18 February, 10am – 12noon
Colliers Wood Community Centre
66/72 High Street
Colliers Wood

Saturday 18 February, 1pm – 3pm
St Josephs Church Hall
29-31 Park Road
Colliers Wood

Saturday 4 March, 10am – 12noon
Holiday Inn Express
200 High Street
Colliers Wood

Saturday 4 March, 1pm – 3pm
The Guardian Centre
67 Clarendon Road
Colliers Wood

Councillor Nick Draper of Colliers Wood Ward, said:

“Colliers Wood has seen fantastic improvements in the last 20 years. I am a Colliers Wood residents and I love it here but the reason we are Councillors is to make our patch even better.

“The Council has been negotiating with developers to obtain around a million pounds for new developments in Colliers Wood and we want local people to have their say about how this money is used.

“We’ve got some ideas of our own so have arranged these events to find out what you think of them. However, there are bound to be things we haven’t considered so come along and tell us.”

For more information call Paul McGarry of Merton’s Plans and Projects Department, on 020 8545 3003 or email paul.mcgarry@merton.gov.uk