A campaign to save Wimbledon's Merton Hall is picking up pace, with nearly 600 signatures on its online petition.

The Abbey Ward building is set to be taken over by Elim Pentecostal Church, which currently occupies a warehouse unit in High Path. The council has agreed a freehold swap with the church in exchange for the Queen Anne style building.

Sara Sharp, from the Save Wimbledon Town campaign, has been petitioning against the take-over, and the structural changes that would come with it.

The plans first went to a planning committee meeting back in April. But councillors on Merton Council slammed the brakes on the proposed changes to the community centre in Kingston Road, South Wimbledon. Councillors sitting on the committee said plans to part-demolish some of the building, and add a glass triangular section to the side, were 'monstrous' and 'unnecessary'.


Wimbledon Times:
A side view of the latest plans

The Wimbledon Society, the Victorian Society and the John Innes Society also registered objections over the proposed design, and the potential loss of sunlight to adjoining buildings and gardens because of the extension.

More information and details on how to sign the petition can be found here.

Comments on the application will be taken until August 18. Planning documents can be found on the portal under application number 17/P2668.

More: New plans for Merton Hall will be put forward in September planning committee after a previous application was thrown out by council

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