Upcoming events


RAWW AGM

The 2024 AGM will be held on Tuesday 15th October 2024 in the pavilion at Morley Park (access from gate opposite 127 Cottenham Park Road). Refreshments will be served from 7.00pm and the meeting will start at 7.30pm.


Raynes Park Community Forum

The next forum meeting will take place at Raynes Park Library on Wednesday 16th October 2024 at 6.15pm.


AELTC planning application for Wimbledon Park Golf Course

 

In 2021, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) submitted a very controversial planning application to expand its tennis complex onto the heritage land of Wimbledon Park. The former Wimbledon Park golf course is Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and in a Conservation Area.


The plan envisages an 8,000-seat stadium, 38 courts, ten other buildings and 9km of roads and paths, defies multiple planning policy protections and ignores the AELTC’s 1993 covenanted promise not to develop the land.  The golf course is mainly in Merton but a section of it is in Wandsworth. In October 2023 the application was approved by Merton Council but in November 2023 was refused by Wandsworth Council. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has to decide on next steps but whatever they decide it will be a lengthy process. 

 

There were a massive number of objections to the planning application. RAWW is one of many local residents’ organisations supporting the 'Save Wimbledon Park' campaign to preserve the park for future generations. For further information on the current status of the application, go to the campaign website at https://www.savewimbledonpark.org/ 

Flood prevention in Raynes Park Centre


After repeated flooding in Raynes Park centre over many years, we had only one brief episode of flooding in 2023. That was in June when there was exceptionally heavy rain but only for about half an hour. That was enough to cause surface water flooding in the centre of Raynes Park. A partnership of Thames Water, Merton Council, and the Environment Agency is working on a Raynes Park FIood Alleviation Scheme. Pending the outcome of the review a small ‘rain garden’ was installed in 2023 as a trial and to help alleviate the repeated flooding under the railway bridge. Rain gardens are designed to help slow down the flow of water into the sewer system and improve the street scene. 

Rain garden at north end of skew arch

Tree protection 


A number of mature trees have been lost in West Wimbledon during recent years. Trees can be protected through the planning system if they are identified  in time. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) 'should be used to protect selected trees and woodlands if their removal would have a significant negative impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public'. Where such trees are at risk due to the potential sale of a property to a developer protection should be sought before the site is sold. 
 
Trees which meet the criteria for a Tree Preservation Order will:

  • be visible from a public place (e.g. from a road or park).
  • appear healthy
  • make a significant contribution to the street scene/visual amenity (e.g. be well established, attractive, improve the view)


They can be trees of any species. If you have noticed any trees in the RAWW area you think might meet these criteria please email enquiries@raww.org.uk with details including the tree location, species (if known), a photo and any risk to it that you think there might be. 
 
You can check whether a tree is already protected with a TPO on Merton Council's online list of TPOs where they are grouped by road names, which are listed alphabetically. The list includes details of the tree’s location within the road and the species.

Our Aims

RAWW aims to protect and enhance the local environment and promote the interests of the local community. This includes responding to planning applications and issues raised by local residents and taking part in consultations on all major building development projects and events held in in the area. These activities involve liaising with Merton Council, our MP Stephen Hammond, local councillors and with local groups including the Raynes Park Community Forum, Friends of Morley Park (FoMP), the Wimbledon Society and the Wimbledon Union of Residents Associations.

 

RAWW also delivers an annual mailing to all households in the area, sends regular email updates on local issues to members and holds an AGM.

 


The area we cover

The RAWW area is shown as shaded on the above map (Copyright Google).

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