Residents living near Wimbledon and Putney Commons will see their annual levy increase by 2.7 per cent in the 2025/26 financial year, the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) has confirmed.
The rise, which matches the Retail Price Index (RPI), will bring the annual charge for a Band D property up from £39.15 to £40.10. In total, the levy will generate £1,666,382, an increase of £43,739 from last year, to fund the upkeep of the 1,140 acres of Commons.
Although this is the maximum increase allowed without having to seek permission from the government, it is far lower than last year’s 8.9 per cent rise, which sparked opposition from both Merton and Wandsworth councils.
Funding Pressures Behind the Rise
The levy, established under the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871, remains the primary funding source for the maintenance and conservation of Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath, and Putney Lower Common. It is collected via Council Tax from properties within three-quarters of a mile of the Commons or within the historic Parish of Putney, covering parts of Wandsworth, Kingston, and Merton.
WPCC Chairman Mauro Mattiuzzo defended the increase, citing rising operational costs, including a £28,000 increase in National Insurance expenses.
The continued support from the levy enables us to sustainably manage and conserve the Commons. However, like many other organisations, we are facing increasing costs.
To address financial pressures, WPCC is also seeking alternative funding sources. The board has approved a new fundraising role to drive efforts in securing additional income for larger infrastructure projects.
Bigger Levy Hikes in the Future?
While this year’s increase remains modest, WPCC has previously explored larger levy hikes. In 2023, the organization proposed an increase nearly three times higher, which would have added an extra £9.05 to Band D properties and raised £375,000 more in revenue.
A consultation sent to 65,000 affected households reportedly showed substantial support for higher contributions to protect the Commons. However, Wandsworth and Merton councils opposed last year’s increase, arguing that residents are already facing high costs.
WPCC has also developed a ten-year land management plan for Putney Commons, based on what it claims is a mandate for higher future rises. However, any move to exceed inflation-linked increases likely requires approval from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
