The Merton Rise development will comprise the following key facilities:

• Up to 950 new homes, of a variety of sizes and tenures including affordable rented and shared ownership housing.
• A new neighbourhood centre, containing a range of shops and services.
• A new community school, with youth and community facilities and an all-weather sports pitch and multiple use games area.
• An efficient movement network that encourages walking and cycling.
• A convenient, high quality and extensive network of open amenity spaces.

Development on land at Merton Rise has commenced with the construction of the new school and proposed Chineham Lane works to provide access to the new school, which opened in September 2007. Phase 1 of the housing development is nearing completion totalling 166 dwellings and includes the provision of Chineham Lane Local Park.

In January 2009, HCC took the decision to withdraw Merton Rise from the market. This decision along with the expiry of the original outline planning permission in June 2009 gave the County Council an opportunity to re-plan phases 2-5 of the Merton Rise development with a view to make certain its delivery as soon as market conditions improve. A new online planning application for the remaining undeveloped land was approved in January 2012 and reserved matters applications are expected to follow in 2012.