A new-look Morden town centre should attract a “younger commuter market” in which even the council’s own headquarters have been earmarked to be redeveloped for housing.

Confidential Merton Council documents, seen by the Wimbledon Guardian, also outline an aspiration for Lidl and Iceland supermarkets to be knocked down and replaced by one of, potentially, four new tall housing blocks.

Last week, the same plans showed how officers were engaged in plans to bring AFC Wimbledon to Merantun Way in Colliers Wood, as well as building more than 1,000 new homes in the area and tearing down the Savacentre, home to Sainsbury’s and M&S.

For Morden, planners believe the side wings and rear of the Civic Centre, currently used by union officials, can be sold off and redeveloped for 100 new flats and retail units on the ground floor.

Across the road, the site used by Lidl and Iceland is identified as underused and is one of four locations earmarked to become a tall building containing about 150 flats.

Officers also complain residents only spend between £5 and £10 in shops.

They add the surrounding areas of St Helier, Lower Morden and Cannon Hill are dominated by family housing.

The report, never publically disclosed until now, said: “The centre suffers from a very poor quality public realm, poor shopping offer and pedestrian severance due to the dominance of the road system and bus station.”

It continues: “Accommodation growth at the centre relieves development pressure in the surrounding surburban neighbourhoods, which are cherished by their residents and protected in the Local Development Framework.

“Morden town centre is perfectly positioned to attract a younger, commuter market.

“However, flats are in low supply.

“Redevelopment and intensification of the centre itself can provide new urban housing and an improved retail offer and physical environment.”

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