On September 21st, Merton’s planning committee granted permission to demolish the majority of John Innes’ 1899 Merton Hall in Wimbledon and to redevelop it into a warehouse style building for Elim Pentecostal Church. 

 This is part of a  controversial freehold land swap deal to give Merton Hall to Elim Pentecostal Church in exchange for their industrial warehouse site on High Path SW19.

Given the public outcry which saw over 3,700 petition signatures on 38 degrees Save Merton Hall,  and hundreds of written objections to Merton Council against the scheme, I have lodged a claim in the High Court for a judicial review to challenge Merton Council’s decision to grant the planning permission.

A judge will decide in the next few weeks whether the claim should be granted permission to proceed to a full hearing by the High Court.

Merton Hall is unique and has many fine Queen Anne-style architectural features which prompted me to apply to Historic England for statutory listing. I am awaiting the outcome of a fast track application.

Merton Hall was built for the community by philanthropist and property developer John Innes, himself a household name, and was designed by his architect Henry Goodall Quartermain. Unusually, it served the dual purpose of a community hall and a masonic lodge. 

It has continued to operate as a community hall, embracing all without distinction to religion, race  or sexual orientation.

Thousands of residents, and members of the public who signed the  petition, are appalled that in addition to the freehold land swap which removes Merton Hall from public hands forever, at least 80 percent of the well-structured original building - including fine ceiling plasterwork strongly resembling those in John Innes’ Grade II home down the road, - will be demolished . 

The replacement is a windowless worship hall in a warehouse-style building, and a massive glass extension abutting what will remain of the front façade.

They also believe these new features are wholly out of place with the predominantly Victorian and Edwardian two-storey neighbourhood and streetscape. 

More details are on the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-wimbledon-s-merton-hall-london-sw19

You can find more on Facebook Save Merton Hall

Twitter @SaveMertonHall

Email: [email protected]

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/row-erupts-over-plans-to-close-19th-century-hall-to-build-pentecostal-church-a3640081.html  

You Can Help:

If the judge agrees to proceed with a High Court hearing, taking Merton Council to court will be very costly. Even if the judge decides not to allow the claim to proceed, I may be ordered to pay the Council's costs up to this stage.

 I am asking you to back my attempt, as a resident,  to challenge Merton Council’s planning decision.

Ultimately, that means funding. A Judicial Review costs generally between £20,000-£40,000. I have put my personal savings into this and now I am asking for help to see the process through.

Whatever you can afford in pennies or pounds will be appreciated - no sum is too small. If you are wanting to be extremely generous, for legal reasons, please do not exceed £3000.

None of the monies raised on CrowdJustice will ever enter my personal pocket or account. It goes directly to my appointed legal team Town Legal LLP,,  a  planning law firm, familiar with complex or controversial projects. Any monies left over will be churned back into another case of our choosing on the CrowdJustice platform.

Right now I need to raise £2,500 in order to allow funds to be released to my legal team (Town Legal LLP).  There is a stretch target which will change according to need so please continue to support beyond the initial £2,500 target.