Protestors have given a cautious thumbs-up to re-drafted environment-friendly plans to develop land to the back of the Merton Abbey Mills craft market.

Copies of the plans were unveiled at a meeting of the Colliers Wood Residents Association on November 19, after being submitted to Merton Council the same day by developers Countryside Properties Plc.

The re-drawn scheme, by new architects Feilden Clegg Bradley, shows a reduction in the size of the three blocks to be built, by around one-and-a-half storeys, together with an effort to use materials complimentary to existing structures.

Residents parking has been hidden underneath the blocks of flats and a landscaped, stepped courtyard, which has been designed to face residents in Runneymede across Bennetts Ditch, at a greater distance than previously envisaged.

Part of the two residential buildings near the river will be given over for uses connected with the market to create a link and sense of continuity. The scheme now has 20 per cent less apartments than its predecessor.

There will also be more cycle paths and a bridge will be built over the river to provide greater access.

The building nearest the river will house a restaurant while an adjacent building will have retail units and a storage room for traders.

Glass atriums running centrally through the two main blocks will add to the mature trees and landscaping proposed to make the site even more in keeping with its environment.

Frankie Godding, of Harewood Road, Colliers Wood, said: I think the developers have obviously listened to objections from traders and Runnymede residents.

The new flat buildings are more aesthetically pleasing.

Weve still got problems with parking though. And were waiting to see what theyre doing with the 2CW site.

Market trader and chairman of the Merton Abbey Tenants Association Robin Green said the new proposals seemed to be much more in keeping with the feel of the market.