Merton's biggest housing group has denied deliberately delaying publishing details of its controversial regeneration proposal until after the general election.

Circle Housing Merton Priory, which hopes to demolish and rebuild more than 1,000 homes across estates in south Wimbledon, Morden and Mitcham, was due to reveal updated masterplans and details of financial offers for residents by the end of January.

But the day before offers were due to be revealed, residents received letters announcing the updated plans would not be published on time because the housing group was "still working on the details" of the residents offer.

Emma Sutton, who lives on the High Path Estate in south Wimbledon, wrote on Facebook: "They have never been forthcoming with information.

"So it was no surprise to receive a leaflet from CHMP dated January 23 to say they wouldn't be releasing the residents offers which we were supposed to have by January 24.

"I have no interest in moving from my home and frankly [I'm] getting fed up with them saying they know what is best for residents.

"Circle seem to be having problems with repairs and maintenance all over the country. If they are struggling with these simple things what makes them think they are capable of a regeneration process.

Wimbledon Times:

First drafts of the masterplans were revealed to residents at consultation events last Autumn

- Masterplan unveiled for regeneration of south Wimbledon's biggest housing estate

- CHMP reveals 'traditional village feel' masterplan for Ravensbury Estate

- Masterplan draft revealed for Eastfields Estate in Mitcham

CHMP has yet to formally announce a new date for revealing revised masterplans and residents offers.

But Paul Quinn, CHMP's director of regeneration, told the Merton Federation of Tenants and Residents at a meeting earlier this year that the big reveal could be pushed back to May.

Speaking to the Wimbledon Guardian last week, Mr Quinn said: "May was suggested as a possible month but we have not yet confirmed our consultation timetable.

"We have explained to residents that we will give them the new timetable once the detail of the Residents Offer has been confirmed."

Eastfield's Residents Association in Mitcham has accused the housing group of deliberately delaying the consultation until after the election, thereby "prolonging the anxiety of our threatened community."

But Mr Quinn insisted it was a last-minute decision made to improve the residents offers for residents.

He said: "We need more time to work on the detail of the Residents Offer - the package of compensation for tenants and homeowners - to make sure it is fair and deliverable.

"The Residents Offer is an important part of the proposed regeneration so it is vital that we do not rush this process."

Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I think it's most important that they get things right so if the delaying is so that it gives them time to prepare properly I think you're better delaying than rushing them.

"It's very important they get right the particulars of the financial offers to householders and freeholders."

He said he wants leaseholders to be offered like-for-like properties on the regenerated estates with full ownership.

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