A plan for a permanent market canopy in Mitcham town centre has been rejected by councillors.

The proposed 7.25m canopy was put forward as part of the £6.2m Mitcham Rediscover scheme which includes plans for a board walk around the Three Kings Pond and a newly landscaped Fair Green with a 'bus street' through it.

A council consultation on the plans revealed 70 percent supported the idea of a canopy.

However objections were raised by Mitcham Community Cricket Green and Community Heritage group who said the canopy was too large would be "dominant and overbearing" compared to the "modest buildings" in the area.

Tony Burton, a trustee with the group, said: "The last thing Fair Green needs is a large shed being built on an area of open space that it is already compromised even before plans for a new bus lane and perimeter roads are implemented.

"The canopy will never be viable.

"It is much too large for the number of market traders in Mitcham. We have seen no evidence that a new building is the answer to the market’s challenges."

He added: "We have a shoddy, poorly presented and badly designed scheme that has been developed on the cheap."

Maria Smith, an architect for Studio Weave who have designed the canopy, said: "There are advantages to one large canopy over individual stalls such as protection from the elements, a stronger visual identity for Mitcham market and a more organized and higher quality market appearance overall.

"The canopy creates a cover for public space, it can be used for events such as food festivals, music performances and film screening."

Councillors rejected the application at a meeting on Thursday on a vote of eight to one.

 

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