Wimbledon MP Secures Government Support to Tackle Morden Regeneration Delays
Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler has taken an important first step in overcoming the decades of stagnation blighting Morden town centre, securing the support of Housing Minister Alex Norris in addressing the long-overdue regeneration project.
At a meeting yesterday (Thursday 17th July 2025), Mr Kohler raised deep concerns over Labour-run Merton Council’s repeated failure to deliver on promises to transform Morden, despite over 30 years of commitments.
Most recently, the Council pushed key elements of the regeneration back yet again now until at best 2028/29, further delaying plans to tackle poor air quality, reduce traffic dominance and improve the environment for local businesses and residents.
In a critical outcome from today’s meeting, the Housing Minister agreed to raise the issue with TfL’s property company Places for London, who own key sites in the town centre which will be central to any successful regeneration.
The Minister committed to meeting Mr Kohler again to discuss how to further drive the project forward, once Mr Kohler has secured the commitment of the Council.
Much to Mr Kohler’s disappointment Merton Council unexpectedly withdrew from yesterday’s meeting, belatedly arguing it was premature, despite giving every indication they would attend, after Paul first raised the matter with them and in Parliament earlier in the year.
Merton Council previously rejected Merton Lib Dems' proposal to fast-track the £4m Morden regeneration project from 2028/29 to 2026/27, with accelerated spending to follow.
Commenting after the meeting yesterday, Mr Kohler said:
“Morden has huge potential, but it's been left to decline due to years of inaction and broken promises from Labour’s Merton Council - who yet again failed to deliver yesterday, not even bothering to join the Minister and me in our initial discussions. Notwithstanding the Council’s lack of engagement, this meeting marks a turning point. I’m determined to get things moving and deliver the change Morden deserves.”
“People often forget, a major part of Morden is in the Wimbledon constituency and my constituents are tired of empty promises and obfuscation. I will continue pushing at every level of government until we see real progress.”