1.

Welcome and Introductions

Thursday 12 March 2026 - 6.30pm to 8pm 
PRESENT: Chair Cllr Chessie Flack, Chair Chris Larkman 

The meeting opened with an introduction from Chris Larkman, the co-chair, speaking on behalf of the Raynes Park Association. Chris welcomed residents and outlined the agenda for the evening. 

2.

Raynes Park Police Safer Neighbourhood Team

Two representatives from the Raynes Park Police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) provided a detailed update covering crime, enforcement and ongoing police activity in the Raynes Park area: 

Shoplifting remained a priority for the team, with active work in Raynes Park Town Centre. Recent arrests had been made in Waitrose, Co-op and Boots. Plain-clothes operations continued to be used to identify offenders.  

The team carried out speeding operations on Coombe Lane and Kingston Road, but noted their previous speed gun equipment was no longer available due to departmental restructuring. They were pursuing new equipment through their Inspector so operations could resume. Residents raised concerns about car racing on Westway and West Barnes Lane, particularly linked to car meets in the Tesco car park. Police reported they were working with West Barnes SNT, Transport Police, and neighbouring boroughs to coordinate a joint operation. Past enforcement had been difficult due to inconsistent timing of gatherings. Police were also exploring whether Tesco could introduce speed bumps to deter driving stunts. 

In terms of neighbourhood crimes, Raynes Park SNT recently performed a search warrant at a property in Wimbledon Park, recovering machetes and illegal drugs. Three further arrests were made following a traffic stop in Raynes Park. The representatives also outlined work to address an ongoing case involving persistent begging, noting that earlier interventions were unsuccessful but new measures were being explored. 

Residents raised concerns regarding dangerous e-scooter and cyclist use on the Beeline Way and nearby streets. Police explained this is primarily a Council responsibility, but enforcement operations can be coordinated, especially for illegal e-scooters, which require specialist recovery vehicles. 

Residents reported plant theft and cannabis use on the railway embankment and Platforms 3 & 4 at Raynes Park Station, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Police committed to increasing weekend patrols and will liaise with the Station Manager and British Transport Police regarding CCTV access and patrols. 

In response to a question following a widely publicised fatal stabbing in Wimbledon, SNT confirmed that while isolated incidents did occur, knife crime rates in Merton remained significantly lower than other London boroughs and were not increasing. 

3.

Planning Matters – Local Applications

A total of six planning-related matters were discussed.

Proposed redevelopment of Raynes Park Sports Ground – Paul Knowles, The Wimbledon Club 

Paul Knowles from The Wimbledon Club introduced the club’s redevelopment plans for Raynes Park Sports Ground, located behind Waitrose. Residents could make comments by emailing planning.representations@merton.gov.uk under the planning reference code: 25/P3737. 

Paul explained that the Club was a community-run, not-for-profit, and long-standing local organisation. A £200,000 refurbishment of the bar and kitchen was underway following the building’s condemnation; this will be open to residents as well as members. Local residents of Somerset Avenue, Taunton Avenue and Camberley Avenue will receive 20% discounts on facilities hire and drinks. The site has experienced historic anti-social behaviour; improved CCTV, staffing and longer opening hours were expected to reduce negative behaviours. The site will not be fenced off and will retain public access, including a new perimeter walkway for dog walkers. A formal Community Use Agreement will ensure pitch prices remain aligned with Council rates. Drainage improvements will increase year-round usability. 

The proposal involved replacing worn 5-aside pitches with a new artificial multi-sport pitch with lighting, and four outdoor padel courts, located at the furthest point from homes.  

Several residents voiced strong concerns on parking capacity, noise nuisance, and the impact of floodlighting, particularly from those on Somerset, Camberley and Taunton Avenues. Cllr Willis asked if they would consider a Section 106 contribution to any changes needed at the entrance on Taunton Avenue to accommodate. 

A few residents criticised the lack of community consultation throughout the application process. They asked for a meeting about the plans, as the buildings along the railway line may be affected by the padel courts on the other side. Residents also asked the Wimbledon Club to consider meeting to discuss their concerns. Two of these concerns, high fencing and floodlighting, were addressed in writing in advance of the meeting:  

·       ‘High Fencing - there is no high fencing on the perimeter of the site near any houses.  There is new fencing next to the new artificial sports pitch but this is located at the opposite side of the site from Somerset - next to the railway track and the A3.’ 

·       ‘Floodlighting - the location of the new padel courts and artificial pitch have been chosen to maximise distance from any houses to minimise spill and glare.  The area is designated as E3 (Suburban).  Conscious that we want to minimise negative impact to neighbours, we have designed the floodlighting to comply with the more sympathetic E2 (Rural) area as defined by the Institution of Light Professionals (ILP).    We will be replacing the existing floodlighting on the 5-aside football pitch so the site already has had floodlighting for several years.’ 

In response, Paul reiterated the importance of padel courts to the financial sustainability of the site. The site was designated as Metropolitan Open Land which inhibited the building of indoor padel courts. He stated that the Club’s noise assessments followed Sport England’s guidelines.

4.

Open forum

The following questions were raised by residents: 

·       A resident asked why six empty tree pits were not scheduled for replanting on Sydney Road. Cllr Wilson explained that Raynes Park was classified as a high-canopy ward, so it was not on the current planting list. The Council intended to re-launch the tree sponsorship scheme so residents can fund planting in 2026. 

·       A resident inquired about the implementation of eco-friendly weed killer following its trial. Cllr Wilson explained that the Council concluded that the weed killer was significantly more expensive, and its license was currently under national review for health and safety impacts. Hence, standard herbicides would still be used subject to future changes. 

·       Residents raised concerns about the lack of CCTV coverage. Cllr Wilson confirmed that this issue has been escalated to the Council and noted challenges with identifying offenders who covered their number plates. 

·       Residents from Westway raised problem with the poor coordination work of emergency repairs. They said there were unclear signage, road closures without warning, and large areas mistakenly cordoned off. Cllr Willis acknowledged significant coordination problems, noting that Thames Water had not sent letters for works as required. He stated that future works must be better coordinated through the Council’s Network Coordination Office, and road reps should report issues promptly, so all affected roads receive consistent updates. 

·       A few residents raised longstanding flooding issue around the new Meadow View development. Cllr Willis confirmed that he had previously voted against the development due to the flood risk, and that the issue has been escalated. He would provide an official update later. 

·       A resident reported that fencing near Prince George’s playing fields remained badly damaged. Cllr Willis explained the land was privately owned and the Council cannot compel repairs, but they would follow up with the landowner. 

·       Another resident highlighted significant dog fouling issues and clarified that Meadow View Road’s private status complicated Council intervention. Cllr Willis advised residents to continue reporting via the proper channels. 

·       Residents commented on continuous development in Raynes Park, and questioned how the local GP service, road traffic, parking, and train capacity would be impacted by population increase. Cllr Willis acknowledged parking pressures often exceeded modelling and promised to monitor Controlled Parking Zone expansion requests. He further explained Section 106 contributions from recent developments had included £90,000 in capital funding for NHS Raynes Park GP provision, plus funding for step-free access at Raynes Park Station. Road improvements and bus service enhancements fell under Transport for London, funded via Section 106 and Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy. Nonetheless, it was up to NHS and TfL to decide what specific local improvements should be made, and the Council could not control their decisions. 

5.

Railway Embankment & Station – Friends of Raynes Park Station

Elizabeth Lane from Friends of Raynes Park Station provided an update on their work at Raynes Park Station and the railway embankment. 

·       Elizabeth said that the Coombe Lane Embankment looked good currently with the spring bulbs in bloom. The volunteers were busy maintaining the site with weeding, litter picking and later on introducing summer flowering plants which can withstand shade and dry conditions. The leaf mould would be used as compost in the autumn. 

·       She noted that Platform 4 was also looking colourful with daffodils and forget-me-nots in flower.  The focus was to grow summer annuals from seed to provide more colour and variety.  The last section of flowerbed at the Surrey end of the platform was being prepared for planting perennials to continue the drought resistant design using drought resistant design. 

·       The Friends received a grant of £1,600 from SWR Biodiversity for enhancing green spaces at the station for the benefit of the community and to promote biodiversity. The funds would be used to cultivate the remaining flowerbeds on platform 4, add plants to the wooden planters on platform 3, improve the soil, purchase perennials and spring bulbs, signage and more. Elizabeth stated that the work would also centre on promoting biodiversity and sustainability. The planting schemes were being expanded to introduce a greater variety of pollinator friendly plants which would increase the availability of food resources and habitats for wildlife over a longer period. 

·       Elizabeth reported that several volunteering days were planned for later in the year with groups from the GoodGym Merton, SWR Biodiversity, Network Rail, Hitachi rail. 

·       The station was again participating in London in Bloom and SWR Community Rail Awards this year. Last year’s winning plaques and certificates were on display in the waiting room on platform 3. 

·       Progress had been made to provide step free access at Raynes Park with the detailed design due to be completed by Autumn 2027. 

·       Residents were encouraged to follow the Friends’ social media for the latest information https://www.instagram.com/friendsofraynesparkstation/. Volunteers meet every Tuesday morning at 9.30am on the Coombe Lane Embankment. Any new joiners are welcomed. 

6.

Updates from Local Councillors

Cllr Willis provided an update on murals in Raynes Park. He said it was very fortunate to receive two grants recently. This included £1000 from the Veolia Sustainability Fund which would go to a new water butt and piping, using water run-off from the rail line to water the parklet on the corner of Approach Road. Network Rail granted £1000 for a small mural by the bicycle parking adjacent to Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward.  

Cllr Wilson reported that she would be attending West Wimbledon Primary school on the week of 16 March 2026 with existing artists Jim and Matilda for the final student workshop on design. This would choose the animals for the last section of the mural running the length of the tunnel in the skew arch, which was now 3/4 complete.

7.

AOB

A suggestion was made referencing Harrow Council’s one-hour free parking pilot, raising whether Merton might consider similar measures to support the high street. 

The co-chair, Chris, announced that local elections will take place on 7 May 2026 and Cllr Flack reminded residents to reapply postal vote if required.