It’s official – Mitcham cricket pavilion is a community asset

Mitcham cricket pavilion is locally listed and a wonderful example of a building of its time.

Opened in 1904 it is undoubtedly an important heritage asset. Do come along and have a look inside on Mitcham Heritage Day on 14th September.

The cricket pavilion’s true value, however, lies in the community role it plays. It supports Mitcham Cricket Club and the continuing story of the game being played on the oldest cricket ground in the world. This is turn adds immensely to the sense of civic pride in Cricket Green and literally defines our identity.

This is why we were pleased to secure Mitcham cricket pavilion at Merton’s first registered asset of community value in 2014 and we are delighted that the registration has just been renewed for another five years following our application.

The renewal affirms the the vital contribution the pavilion makes to the local community at a time when its future is uncertain.

The pavilion shares ownership with the Burn Bullock, a nationally listed building which has declined to the point where it is on the national Heritage at Risk register. We have seen stop/start plans for both new flats and then a hotel for the rear car park and there is now talk of a care home being built. It remains unclear whether this will impact on the land occupied by the pavilion which includes essential storage and garaging facilities for the equipment needed to care for the cricket square.

Everyone agrees that the cricket pavilion is an essential community asset. This has now been officially reconfirmed. Now we need to work with Merton Council and Mitcham Cricket Club to ensure control of the pavilion is transferred to the local community as a condition of any planning permission to develop other parts of the Burn Bullock site.

Community on the Green 18th July 2019 6.30pm till dusk

Your invitation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area.

Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area was designated on 18th July 1969 and its Golden Jubilee is a cause for celebration.

Thursday 18th July – Mitcham Cricket Ground – 6.30pm till dusk.

Community on the Green includes:

  • short speeches at 7pm, including Deputy Mayor of Merton Edward Foley
  • exhibitions and displays about what is going on in Cricket Green
  • a guided walk exploring gems of Cricket Green at around 7.30pm
  • Wandle Industrial Museum display
  • a celebration of the oldest cricket ground in the world
  • announcement of the Mitcham Heritage Day programme on September 14th
  • opportunities to visit Mitcham cricket pavilion, Merton’s first registered Asset of Community Value
  • cricket being played on the oldest cricket ground in the world
  • drinks and light refreshments and a special surprise!

Community on the Green is for anyone who lives in, works in or simply loves Cricket Green and wants to enjoy a relaxed, enjoyable and informative evening celebrating all that it offers.

We look forward to seeing you!

Mitcham Garden Village – vehicle barrier

Mitcham Garden Village is one of the jewels of the Cricket Green Conservation Area.

It is a living legacy of Sir Isaac Wilson’s local philanthropy and an architectural gem.

We’re greatly concerned, therefore, by proposals for a intrusive road barrier across the key view into the estate from Cranmer Road.

This view is specially recognised in Merton Council’s appraisal of the Conservation Area and the design of

the barrier shows no respect for the sensitivity of the site.

We’re asking for any changes to Mitcham Garden Village to be informed by a management plan to ensure they are well considered and don’t harm what makes it special.

Read our comments on the barrier application.Mitcham Garden Village barrier – June 19

Cricket Green Charter – have your say

It’s the 50th anniversary of Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area and so there is no better time to be refreshing the Cricket Green Charter.

The Charter was first prepared in 2013 and sets out principles that have been informing development and other decisions for more than five years.

The Canons Lottery project is a direct result of the Charter, and is just one of the important achievements it has inspired.

We have been inviting views on the refresh since the beginning of 2019 and been in touch with more than 5,000 households in the local area.

We have received some great feedback.

We also held a workshop earlier this month for local people and councillors. This also heard from Merton Council’s futureMerton team about the changes Cricket Green can expect in the coming years.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved so far. We produced a report on the consultation feedback.

We are now asking for your views on a final draft of the new Cricket Green Charter.

Have a look and let us know what you think.

  • Have we pitched things properly?
  • What have we missed?
  • Are these your priorities?
  • How would you like to see Cricket Green change?

You can email us, get involved on Twitter, or come along and talk things through at our stall at Merton Heritage Discovery Day (at the Civic Centre in Morden on May 11th) or Mitcham Carnival (at Three Kings Piece in Mitcham on June 15th).

We also have an Open Meeting in Mitcham Cricket Pavilion on May 28th at 7pm and would love to chat to you there.

We need to have your feedback by the time of Mitcham Carnival.

Report on the consultation feedback

Final draft of the new Cricket Green Charter

Massive redevelopment of Benedict Wharf imminent

Plans for the largest development in Cricket Green for a generation are being finalised over Easter.

SUEZ’s plans to move its recycling operations to a site near the Beddington incinerator are expected to result in an outline application being submitted for new housing on Benedict Wharf within the next few weeks.

Around 600 homes are planned, creating an entire new neighbourhood for Mitcham.

We are pressing SUEZ for a development which feels like a natural extension of Mitcham rather than a bolt on area of blocks and flats.

Regrettably, the latest plans include large blocks of flats reaching eight storeys.

We have also asked for a standard of design that will lead to demands to include the new neighbourhood in Cricket Green Conservation Area within ten years.

The development creates a real opportunity to invest in London Road Playing Fields and support local community facilities, including Mitcham Parish Centre. We are also looking for a new route from London Road through the site, across Phipps Bridge and into Morden Hall Park.

The plans should also sort out the Hallowfield Way eyesore and, using land owned by Merton Council, convert this into a residential street with a welcoming entrance to the Conservation Area next to Mitcham Parish Church.

As an outline application we know that SUEZ will not be the developers. If successful we can expect a housebuilder to submit detailed plans and so it will be important that the SUEZ scheme sets standards that cannot be reduced at a later date.

Once the application is submitted all eyes will turn towards Merton Council as both planning authority and owner of much of the adjacent land.

You can see our submission to SUEZ here.