Merton council is asking all residents to rack their brains and suggest names for the streets and buildings within the new Rowan Park development in Mitcham.

All of the suggestions should relate either to a person who has served the local community or a person who was born or lived in the area but died over 25 years ago. Ideas could also be based on a historical connection to the area or how the land was used previously.

The names of streets and buildings must be unique to the Rowan site so they cannot be confused with other streets and buildings in south London.

In partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and house builder Crest Nicholson, Merton Council will transform the former school site to include a landscaped community park and will feature the second homezone in the borough.

The new Rowan Park development will boast 217 homes, a NHS health facility, a scout hall and community centre and a brand new local park with play facilities. Thirty per cent of the housing is classified as affordable to enable people providing essential public services, such as teachers and nurses, to buy or rent a home in Merton through shared ownership schemes.

In line with Merton’s environmental policies, the site will be partly powered by renewable energy. The roofs will accommodate solar panels, in addition to other state of the art sustainable energy measures. The buildings will also be well insulated to reduce the need for heating. The park itself will contribute to sustainable urban drainage with swales and reed beds, which will provide new wildlife habitats and reduce the impact of local flooding.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration Councillor Andrew Judge said: ‘The Rowan Park development is the start of a new community. Including residents in the naming of new streets and buildings is a great example how residents can contribute to a part of Merton’s history. The hard work that has gone into making this project a reality is set to benefit residents with more affordable housing, green spaces and community facilities in the borough.”

Residents should send their suggestions by 31 May 2011 to street.naming@merton.gov.uk or by post to Street Naming and Numbering, 12th floor, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX. For more information visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/rowan_park.

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Press contact:

Leoni Munslow

Communications Assistant

London Borough of Merton

020 8545 4654