6 Portrait
6.1 Merton is an outer London borough, situated in south west London, in the heart of the Wandle Valley. Merton is predominantly residential in character (42% of the area) but with great variations in social mix and density of development from east to west and north to south.
6.2 Although it is one of the smallest London boroughs with an area of 37 square kilometres, it contains several distinct districts including Mitcham, Morden, Colliers Wood and Wimbledon, and some impressive open spaces including Mitcham and Wimbledon Commons. There are a number of smaller local centres scattered across the borough at Arthur Road, Motspur Park, North Mitcham, Raynes Park and Wimbledon Village that each have their own distinct character.
6.3 Due to its location, the borough has always benefited from its proximity and good connections to central London, while also being able to maintain a more suburban feel than some other inner London boroughs.
6.4 The most urban parts of the borough are located to the north, adjoining the border with Wandsworth. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries London's suburbs expanded around older village settlements at Mitcham, Merton Abbey, Morden and Wimbledon with the growth of the rail network to London.
6.5 The northern part of the borough are characterised by tightly packed streets of late Victorian or Edwardian terraced housing around North Mitcham, Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon, and larger detached or semi-detached homes around Wimbledon.
6.6 1930's suburbia characterises large parts of the south and east of Merton: lower density semi-detached houses or short terraces with gardens, in tree lined roads with wide grass verges, which merges with neighbouring boroughs of Sutton and Croydon to the south.
6.7 Merton is one of the greenest boroughs in London, with extensive parks, green and wild spaces that offer recreation, relief, contrast and structure to the borough’s built environment. 18% of the borough’s area is open space, compared to a 10% London average. A significant part of the borough’s open space provision corresponds to Wimbledon and Mitcham Commons, which are extremely valuable for the borough in terms of biodiversity, nature conservation, and are a popular leisure attraction for residents and visitors from outside the borough.
6.8 The Wandle Valley runs through south London from Croydon to the mouth of the Wandle at the Thames in Wandsworth. It has long been the focus of industrial activity, which peaked in the nineteenth century, and still links modern business and industrial estates at Willow Lane, Morden Road and Durnsford Road with Merton's industrial heritage at Abbey Mills. The river, and the Wandle Trail along its banks, acts as a green corridor for wildlife and offers walking, cycling and other recreational opportunities. Plans for a regional park are being drawn up to the southern end of the borough around Mitcham Common.
6.9 The borough is one of the safest in London, consistently in the top four lowest crime rates across the capital. Despite this, fear of crime remains high, as one of the main concerns for residents.
6.10 According to the 2001 Census, Merton had a total population of about 187,900 in 78,884 households and an average household size of 2.38 people.
6.11 The number of people living in Merton is expected to increase over the next 20 years by around 10% to about 205,000 in 2026 (GLA, PLP Low). However, over the past five years birth rates in Merton, and London-wide, have jumped, putting unexpected pressure on early years services. If this spike continues, it may create the need for more school places and eventually more homes and other supporting services to cope with a larger population.
6.12 Merton's population is fairly youthful with around half in the 15-45 year old age group. There is a similar ethnic mix when compared with the rest of outer London: about three quarters of the population are from the White ethnic group, 11% from the Asian ethnic group and 8% from the Black ethnic group.
6.13 Though Merton is located in one of the most economically dynamic and richest regions in Europe, there is a great diversity and significant differences in the composition of communities throughout the borough. Multiple problems related to poor economic prospects, low education attainment, poor health and lower incomes are more frequent in eastern wards such as Figges Marsh, Cricket Green, Pollards Hill, Lavender Fields and St. Helier.
6.14 These socio-economic problems are compounded by environmental and infrastructure differences; there is more limited access to public transport and open spaces in eastern parts of Merton and the quality of shopping and leisure facilities are also relatively poor compared with western wards. These deprived areas extend into parts of neighbouring boroughs at Croydon, Lambeth and Sutton.
6.15 Merton is already working with its partners in government, the private sector and the voluntary sector to address these inequalities, including via initiatives through Merton's Community Plan, and Merton's Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans. Regional actions, such as the opening of the new train station at Mitcham Eastfields and the creation of the Wandle Valley Regional Park, are also signs of progress towards regeneration of the area.
6.16 While parts of east Merton suffer from pockets of deprivation and poor public realm, a higher proportion of people in western wards are employed, more are working in higher skilled (and therefore higher earning) professions and that educational attainment is also higher in Wimbledon. More of the public realm in western parts of Merton is protected by conservation areas due to its historic significance.
6.17 The Wimbledon district attracts more visitors and commercial interest, in part due to the global recognition of the Wimbledon 'brand' through the All England Lawn Tennis Championships held annually at the grounds near Wimbledon Park.