New owners have taken on the site at 18-22 Crown Lane – which was previously earmarked for a seven-storey budget hotel with 85 rooms.
Merton Council approved the plans last September, despite concerns from Merton Park ward residents’ association about the scale of the development.
Updated proposals have now been submitted to the local authority, which suggest upgrading the accommodation to a “higher-end, mid-tier” hotel.
Applicant Ealing Grove Ltd has asked to increase the number of rooms available to guests to 98, while also increasing the size of individual rooms.
This change requires a further extension to the proposed building above ground floor level, as well as new windows on the western side of the hotel.
“The proposed adjustments to the building footprint and massing have been carefully designed to be discreetly positioned at the rear, ensuring minimal visual impact,” planning documents claim.
The two on-site parking bays would also be removed, with one off-street disabled bay added. Living green walls also no longer feature in the updated scheme.
The hotel would replace a two-storey block of three shops, which either have offices or flats above. All of the existing buildings are currently vacant.
