The planning process at Merton Council has been described as ‘cheerful chaos’ at a meeting.

Plans to replace Victorian buildings in Wimbledon with an office block have been given a ‘red verdict’ for the second time by the council’s Design and Review Panel on Tuesday (May 29).

On the agenda was a plan to knock down buildings at 188-194 The Broadway, Wimbledon and build a six storey office block.

The panel is made up of independent professionals who rate planning applications on a traffic light scale.

The panel voted to give the plans a red score meaning the plans need to be changed or withdrawn and resubmitted.

Panel member Marcus Beale said he didn’t think the plans ‘feel very Wimbledon’.

He was backed up by fellow panel member Duncan Michael who pointed out that Merton Council does not have a ‘master plan’ for development in Wimbledon town centre.

The engineer said: “If the building has no master plan to follow there isn’t any hope in hell of it having any elegance.

“How can they pay homage to Wimbledon without a master plan?

“I am not attacking the building I am attacking the room – We take every application in a cheerful chaos and I find it very hard to have an opinion to what you are showing us.”

Mr Beale agreed adding: “I think you are encouraging the local planning authority to have a master plan.”

The office block proposal was for a site next to the YMCA building submitted by McBains Cooper on behalf of Woodcock Holdings.

The existing two storey buildings are a mix of residential and office space.