Merton Council is strengthening its commitment to home building, aiming to deliver a minimum of 2,500 new homes over the next 10 years, including 1,500 affordable homes, subject to grant funding. 

The council is determined to support the supply of much-needed, good-quality homes to help tackle the housing crisis. It has already begun building the first council homes in a generation, but with so many local people needing a home, these ambitious plans will make sure more residents can stay living in the borough they call home. 

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Ross Garrod, said:

We’re proud to already be building the first council homes in Merton in a generation, but with so many families locally in need of a home we are determined to go further. 

Our ambitious New Homes Programme will help us do just that, with the aim of delivering 2,500 more homes in the borough over the next decade, with a focus on council homes. By working with the community and with government, the Mayor of London, developers, and housing associations, we will deliver the homes local people need.“

Over the next 18 months, the council’s New Homes Programme will explore a range of approaches to successfully increase the number of homes being built of different types across Merton. The council plans to:  

• move ahead to explore the suitability of locations already identified for new homes; 

• progress plans to remake Morden into the best town centre in London, with new homes for local people; 

• look for new locations to build homes across the borough;  

• work with developers and housing associations to build homes on council land; and 

• work with developers to acquire homes that they are building.  

Crucially, the council will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and local stakeholders on its plans to build the homes Merton needs. 

Merton Council’s first council homes in a generation are currently under construction at Elm Nursery and Raleigh Gardens in Mitcham and on Farm Road in Morden. These developments are supported with a multimillion-pound investment from the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes programme 2021-2026.

The council is progressing proposals for additional council homes at sites across the borough.  

With changing economic factors such as the cost of building, the cost of borrowing and the supply of labour, it is a challenging time for house building across the UK but the council is determined to make the most of all opportunities available to provide affordable homes for local people. 

In addition to building new homes, the council will be reopening its Housing Revenue Account to manage its own housing stock. It’s also securing hundreds of social homes from private developers. 

The New Homes Programme has been approved by Merton’s Cabinet and is set to be approved by Full Council.  

See more information on the council’s new council homes.

Read more about the New Homes Programme in the Cabinet report.