Merton Council’s plans to build a state-of-the-art day centre and supported living units for people with complex learning disabilities, progressed at Cabinet on Monday 4 November.  

The development at Riverside Drive in Mitcham is also set to include new affordable homes, delivered in partnership with Wandle Housing Association (Wandle) who own part of the site. 

If planning is approved, the upgraded day centre will be built on the site of the current Jan Malinowki Day Centre (JMC), replacing it with a modern, exciting and energy-efficient facility for residents. 

The needs of the JMC community will be at the forefront of the development plans to create a day centre that is fit for the future and incorporates the centre users’ ideas. It will have lower running costs and contribute to our borough’s goal of reducing carbon emissions. 

Much-needed supported living units will contribute to Merton Council’s ambitions to build 400 new council homes in the borough – the first in a generation. They will suit residents who are looking to live as independently as possible, increasing their autonomy and quality of life.  

The units will replace the now closed Riverside Drive residential home, with the council having worked closely with the home’s residents and their families to relocate them to equivalent homes.  

Wandle is planning to deliver new, general-needs housing on the site, providing affordable homes close to amenities for more people in our borough, and helping to meet increasing demand for the homes that Merton needs. 

The development is in line with Merton’s new Local Plan – a document that will guide all residential and commercial planning applications and decisions in the borough – which was also brought to Cabinet today and adopted for use.  

Introducing a range of new planning policies, the Local Plan supports high design standards in buildings as well as streets and public spaces. It also sets new standards in energy efficiency to significantly reduce carbon emissions and raises the overall affordable housing target for developments of 10 homes or more. 

Councillor Peter McCabe, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: 

“I’m pleased to see the development of the new day centre and supported living units on the Jan Malinowski Day Centre site progress at Cabinet today.  

“The purpose-built centre will provide modern facilities for our residents and staff and include their ideas about what goes in. This collaboration on design will ensure the centre has the right feel and environment – enabling everyone who uses it to thrive and reach their full potential. 

“The supported living accommodation too, will have the latest in design and facilities and provide more options for people to remain in, or return to, the borough to live closer to their families and community resources.” 

Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, said:  

“The plans to build new supported living units is welcome news for our borough. They are part of our ambitions to build 400 new council homes – the first in a generation.  

“These along with the affordable homes set to be delivered will help meet increasing demand. We want to do everything in our power to deliver safe, decent and quality housing for local people, because everyone deserves a place they’re proud to call home.  

“This development is a great example of how the Local Plan will be used and implemented for all planning applications and decisions in the future with higher standards in design, energy efficiency and provision of affordable homes.” 

Anne Waterhouse, Chief Executive at Wandle, said:  

“I am delighted that Wandle is working in partnership with Merton Council and the Greater London Authority to deliver 80 new affordable homes as part of our Hidden Homes project. 

Being able to adjoin and redevelop two existing housing schemes to provide affordable and supported living homes, along with the day centre demonstrates how we can contribute more to the local community.  

Wandle is keen to play a role in Merton Council’s ambitions to build new homes in the borough, helping to relieve the housing crisis locally and providing homes to those across south London.”