London mayor Ken Livingstone has given the go-ahead for Countryside’s £80m mixed-use scheme in Colliers Wood, south London, after securing a £3.7m commuted payment for affordable housing. Livingstone had previously rejected the scheme.
Countryside’s plans for the conversion of Merton Abbey Mills comprise a hotel, 241 flats, two restaurants, a health and fitness centre, and a canopied exhibition centre.
The deal means that affordable housing equating to about 30% of the proposed scheme will be built off-site. The housing will be designed for families, reflecting the borough’s main housing needs.
The Mayor originally directed Merton Council to reject the application on 13 August 2001 because of its failure to provide any affordable housing.
Livingstone said: ” I am delighted to have secured such a large contribution towards affordable housing in Colliers Wood. This excellent result demonstrates that by adopting tough policies a much higher level of affordable housing can be achieved.”
EGi News 12/04/02
