Mitcham Sub Area Neighbourhoods

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DRAFT 13 Common Local Neighbourhood

Origins and General Character ceased it covered a far greater part century windmill. Part of it This neighbourhood encompasses a of the Common, then reduced to its remains in the grounds of The Mill vast area of public open space namely current area by the Conservators. House restaurant / pub, which also Mitcham Common and pockets of Some land has been lost to railway opened in 1995. The Ecology Centre housing which straddle the periphery. and roads. There are a number of has study facilities and is generally for The common is roughly 460 acres, ponds on the common, many created educational use. Behind these it has evolved through centuries of as a result of grave extraction, which buildings are the old football pitches use, its boundaries, physical structure continued until the 1980s, and some that are now managed as neutral and ecology have all been subject to ponds have since been infilled. Among grassland, but were used as a tipping change. those that remain are Seven Islands site, being reinstated after the Pond created post 1867 and Bidder’s Second World War. Further up Mitcham Common is ancient common Pond north of Road, and One Windmill Road is the Windmill Trading land, which once extended much Island Pond south of Croydon Road. Estate which has been there in one further and before clearance in There are a range of habitats such as form or another since 1782. The Estate 2 Neolithic times was oak woodlands; it woodland and scrub, ponds and was demolished in 2009 to make way adjoined Croydon Common, grassland. The Common was originally for a residential development. Farmlands and , flatter than at present, some areas and included the various greens that having been artificially landscaped, Land Use remain around Mitcham. It was divided such as Tilbury Hill completed in 1984. Primarily the common is a site of between four manors and was long The reshaping of the common was nature conservation and is used for used for agriculture and grazing, and used to remediate parts of the passive recreation activities for in the early 19th century was used for common which were used for rubbish example dog walking, fishing and gravel extraction. Today the boroughs dumping during the mid-20th wildlife observation. There is some of , Croydon, Sutton and the century. The areas both sides of residential use around the periphery of Corporation of are involved Cedars Avenue were infilled in the the common. There are also 2 public in the preservation of the common, 1940s, and the hill facing the pond houses / restaurants, golf clubhouse making an annual contribution to its was the site of a domestic dump in the and common wardens office / maintenance costs; and in 1997 it was 1950s and 60s. Both of these areas educational facility in the Mill House. agreed that the common and are now dominated by vegetation adjoining farmlands and Beddington associated with waste ground and Built Form Park would form part of the larger disturbance. There are also significant The majority of the neighbourhood is Wandle Valley Country Park. The Golf tracts of woodland and scrub mainly public open space as illustrated on the Course was established on the along Croydon Road and Commonside figure ground overleaf as a large void. Common in the late 1890s and East. In 1995 Mill House Ecology Residential buildings line the edge of until 1924 when the golf club’s rights Centre opened on the site of a 19th the common to the north and View of Mitcham Common Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood

southwest. These are terrace blocks or tailbacks as a result. The pedestrian detached houses built in the early 20th environment around the common is century. To the southwest there are a poor as footways are narrow; this is number of blocks within the common particularly evident on Commonside environs which denote Mitcham East. Pedestrian access to the Junction and the golf clubhouse. Common is impeded by heavy Straddling the western boundary is the traffic flow and lack of crossing points. Mitcham Garden village with its There are also parking issues along distinctive keyhole shaped close Commonside East. Cycling provision layout.This development is part of the is poor on most roads as there is little Conservation space given over to cyclists. In the area and is a distinct enclave in the common cycle access, routes and neighbourhood There are also 2 pubs parking are poorly defined. There is an namely the Ravenburys Arms to the aspiration to improve cycling access west and the Mill House pub at the and routes through the common. In 3 centre, the Mill House is adjacent to addition there is a desire to upgrade Figure ground the Mill House Ecology Centre. On the existing cycle routes along Croydon former Windmill Trading Estate site a Road and Beddington Lane. A recent development to the north of the route and railway run through the area common is clearly visible as a cluster which create a barrier at the southern of large rectangular blocks arranged end of the common. Mitcham Junction around courtyards. is located off Road; train routes which stop here connect the Movement area to Sutton and . A The common is enclosed and number of bus routes run through the intersected by a network of busy area. roads. Croydon Road, Carshalton Road and Beddington Lane are part Watneys Road which was formerly of the strategic road network. Croydon used as a rat run has been blocked off Road is heavily congested as is and left with trees gradually enclosing Carshalton Road, Beddington Lane the space; there is scope to convert and Windmill Road are also busy this route into cycle lane or common routes. The junction at the gateway land. into the neighbourhood becomes clogged with traffic and there are often View of Seven Islands pond Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood

Open Space A large proportion of this neighbourhood is open space as part of Mitcham Common. The large common plays host to a variety of habitats such as grassland, heathland, woodland, scrubland and ponds. These habitats support a variety of wildlife and plant life.

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View of the common from Watneys Road

Bidders Memorial Varied plant life on the common Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Analysis

General Neighbourhood Characteristics

Major movement corridor

Minor movement corridor

Major Gateway MC1

Topography gradient MC2 Positive Neighbourhood Characteristics

MC1 Key view to green space MC1

Glimpsed views 5

MC2 MC3 MC2 Panoramic view

MC1 Green space MC2 Waterspace

Negative Neighbourhood Characteristics MC1 Major barrier

MC Public realm enhancement needed

Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Heritage Assets

Heritage map to be added at later stage

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Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Character Areas 1 Mitcham Common

2 Commonside East / Mitcham Junction

3 Mitcham Garden Village

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Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 8 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Character Areas Assessment, Issues and Guidance

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Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 1 Mitcham Common Character Area Assessment

Character Statement restaurant/pub. The Mill House This character area comprises a large Ecology Centre was built on the site of Criteria Based proportion of the neighbourhood, it a 19th century windmill. Part of it covers the vast area of Mitcham remains in the grounds of The Mill Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character Common. The common is partitioned House restaurant/pub, the base of area are assessed by using the following by the roads which dissect it. windmill is grade II listed which criteria: The common comprises of a mosaic comprises 1 storey circular brick Identity of different habitats such as lowland enclosure with original timber Urban Layout Movement acid grassland, heathland, grassland, superstructure comprising horizontal Architectural Interest woodland and ponds. The layout of and diagonal beams. Both pubs Built Form these habitats has an organic informal although dating from different periods Public Realm appearance, they are managed to are similar in style; they are set back Trees Landscape ensure animal and plant diversity. from the road behind car parking with Features Grassland is predominantly central to beer garden to the side or rear 10 Economic Vitality the common interspersed with surrounded by mature trees. The pockets of scrub whilst woodland Ravensbury Arms was originally built Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the tends to straddle the periphery. There during the Edwardian period but has character area is good, moderate or poor. are significant tracts of woodland and been much altered, it has a rural The total score defines whether an scrub mainly along Croydon Road and vernacular with timber beam area is an: Commonside East. A particular feature decoration, horizontal windows and 1) Area of established high quality of this open space is the undulating central gable feature. The Mill House 2) Area with scope to reinforce the topography, such as the artificially restaurant/pub is built in a similar Arts existing character created hills from which there are and Craft style. On the common there 3) Area requiring enhancement to panoramic views of the surrounding is also a carved granite monolithic reinforce identity area. The plant life is punctuated by stone which is a grade II listed Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and ponds such as Seven Islands Pond, memorial in commemoration of neighbourhood assessment map are located One Island pond and Bidders pond. George Parker Bidder although this is at the end of the chapter. The character of the common changes obscured from view by vegetation. Overall Score: 60 to the south in Mitcham Golf Course which has a more formalised The common is surrounded by busy Area type: appearance however it is interspersed roads, crossing these roads can be Area with scope to reinforce the with wildlife habitat. difficult therefore pedestrian access existing character There is little built fabric in this into the park could be enhanced by character area apart from the improving crossing points. Ravensbury Arms, The Mill House View of pathway alongside Seven Islands pond. Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 1 Mitcham Common Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues Public Realm: • Pedestrian environment around the Common is poor due to heavy traffic, narrow footpaths or absence of footpaths. • Pedestrian access to the Common is restricted by poor crossing points on busy roads. • Lack of cycle lanes / facilities on roads around the Common and also across The Common. • Watneys Road is left disused, the road surface detracts from the wild habitat Areas of woodland Areas of grassland in the surrounding area. • Isolated incidences of litter which detract from the natural beauty of the Common, paticularly around the periphery of Commonside East and seating areas within the common. 11

Guidance Public Realm: • Investigate the enhancement pedestrian environment by improving footpaths and crossing points around the Common. • Investigate incoporating Watneys Road into the Common as wildlife habitiat and/ or pedestrian / cycle route through. Scrubland and wild flowers Ravensbury Arms set back amongst mature trees • Lack of cycle lanes / facilities on roads around the Common and also across The Common. • Investigate additional litter bins at problems areas.

Enhancement Projects MC 1: Enhancement of pedestrian environment - crossings / or footpath MC 2: Enhancement of cycle facilties around and across common including Watneys Road. Seven Islands pond Grade II listed base of Windmill at Mill House Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 2 Commonside East / Mitcham Junction Character Area Assessment

This area comprises residential areas brick decoration. A distinctive pair is along the northern and southern edge the locally listed 205-207 Commonside Criteria Based of the common. Development of the East; which is an early to mid-Victorian existing residential houses facing unto domestic gothic pair of semi-detached Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character the common appears to have started in houses. The dwellings are built in area are assessed by using the following the Edwardian period until the 1930s. predominately red brick and roofed criteria: To the north there are in clay tiles. The front elevation has Identity typical 1930s 2 storey blocks of paired gables with distinctive steep Urban Layout Movement terraced houses set back from the pitch roofs with bargeboards. It has Architectural Interest road behind small front garden. Some ornate diagonal, tall, single and Built Form terraces are set back from main road grouped chimneys with distinctive Public Realm by rectangular green space. There stepped brickwork. There are also 11 Trees Landscape is variety in the style of houses with contemporary blocks of 3-5 storeys. Features some having more ornate motifs. The Blocks are finished in brick with timber 12 Economic Vitality predominant style is a modest 2 storey panels, cladding and glass balconies. house with ground floor projection and On Carshalton Road the houses are Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the upper square bay finished in either 1930s with some Arts and Craft style character area is good, moderate or poor. painted render or pebbledash with features. Pebble dash finish and red The total score defines whether an terracotta roof tiles interspersed tile hangings are prevalent along area is an: with semi-detached houses with low Aspen Gardens. There are also 1) Area of established high quality sweeping gable features. There is a examples of jettied upper bay with 2) Area with scope to reinforce the cohesive block of Edwardian houses gable feature finished in red tile existing character built in red brick, some have been hangings. Motifs include double square 3) Area requiring enhancement to painted over, features include double bay or bow window, recessed porch reinforce identity square bay, front gable detail, and timber detail on front gable. A Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and decorative bargeboard, timbering, break from the residential development neighbourhood assessment map are located protruding ridge tiles, raised gables is Mitcham Junction and the Mitcham at the end of the chapter. and recessed porch. There are also Golf Course Clubhouse. Mitcham Overall Score: 65 examples of modest Edwardian Junction is a locally listed Victorian cottages around the junction between station built in stock brick.The Area type: Commonside East and Windmill Road. proximity to the Common gives this Area with scope to reinforce the These are 2 storeys in render or area a leafy characteristic.The tall existing character pebbledash however a number are established trees around the common built in red brick with render decoration enhance these residential areas. above lintels and horizontal Properties along Commonside East Edwardian cottages facing Mitcham Common on Commonside East Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhoodhave views onto the common. 2 Commonside East / Mitcham Junction Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Paving; tarmac, fragmented finish in places. • Pedestrian environment adversely affected by heavy traffic. Lack of quality pedestrian facilities and public realm treatment. • Loss of original boundary treatment and or front garden.

Built Form: Commonside End • Changes to original materials such as windows and painting over brickwork eroding character of original properties. • Proliferation of satelite dishes on houses in some streets which creates visual clutter along the front elevation. 13 • Vacant site at the corner of former Windmill Trading Estate creates a void in the streetscene.

Guidance

Edwardian terrace on Commonside East Contemporary blocks off Commonside East Public Realm: • Improve public realm surface treatments. • Retain front boundary and garden landscape features.

Built Form: • All alterations to properties to be informed by the original detailing and materials. • Investigate the development of vacant site to repair streetscene. • New developments should be creatively designed to be sympathetic in terms of massing, materials and details to the natural landscape of the common and adjacent properties.

1930s development on Aspen Gardens View of Commonside East with the distinctive chimney stacks of 205-207 in the background Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 3 Mitcham Garden Village Character Area Assessment

Character Statement whole has a very strongly cohesive Mitcham Garden Village is a distinct feel that results from the uniform Criteria Based locally listed enclave which is enclosed architecture, and the layout of the by the railway line and Carshalton buildings around varied communal Assessment The qualitative attributes of each character Road. It is a keyhole shaped close open spaces. The main features of area are assessed by using the following with houses facing inwards, grouped interest include the first floor jetties criteria: around a green. It is a gated projecting beyond the ground floor, the Identity community reserved for the elderly very pronounced gables Urban Layout Movement and part of the Mitcham Cricket Green (including dormers and porches) with Architectural Interest Conservation Area. This quiet their steeply pitched roofs, and the Built Form backwater with it’s gardens with well massive chimneys. The overall layout Public Realm kept clipped hedges survives virtually of the development is also of interest, Trees Landscape unchanged and continues to provide including in particular the grouping of Features the pleasant domestic community the buildings around green spaces 14 Economic Vitality envisaged by its designers (Chart, Son of various sizes. Changes have been and Reading). kept to a minimum, and have not Each criteria point is scored according to whether the contribution made to the undermined the cohesive architectural character area is good, moderate or poor. This development consists of 10 character of the buildings. The total score defines whether an terraces each containing 4 two storey area is an: houses, together with 2 pairs of similar All cottages are two storeys and set 1) Area of established high quality semi-detached houses. The back from the green behind private 2) Area with scope to reinforce the development dates from between 1929 gardens. The ‘village’ has a secluded existing character and 1932. The architectural style of location. Landscape within the open 3) Area requiring enhancement to the development is influenced by the areas is informal, grassed areas whilst reinforce identity vernacular revival, based on the Tudor private gardens are clearly marked Character area assessment sheets with breakdown of score and period. This development was with clipped privet hedges.The public neighbourhood assessment map are located originally conceived by a local realm layout and scale ensures that at the end of the chapter. benefactor, in order to cater for the pedestrians can safely use the Overall Score: 90 needs of local elderly people. The carriageway. materials used include brown brick, Area type: some laid in panels of herringbone, Area of established high quality Tudor style timber frame with pebbledash render between at the gables, dormer windows and porches, and roof tiles. The development as a Cottage detailing including gables with timber strapwork and prominent chimneys Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood 3 Mitcham Garden Village Character Area Issues & Guidance

Issues

Public Realm: • Signage at entrance to Mitcham Garden Village Green adds clutter to the streetscene.

Secluded location of the ‘Village’ Guidance

Public Realm: • Rationalise signage on Mitcham Garden Village Green. 15

Roofed porches and decorative brick infill panels Enhancement Projects

MC 3: Rationalise signage on Mitcham Garden Village Green Houses arranged around the green

Cottage style windows Entrance into the development Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood

1 Mitcham Common Character Area 2 Commonside East / Mitcham Junction Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest architectural or historic interest 16

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character which affect the character

Criteria Score 5050 1010 Criteria Score 5030 1035

Character Area Total Score 60 Character Area Total Score 65

Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood

3 Mitcham Garden Village Character Area

Good: Moderate: Poor: Makes a Makes some Does not Character Area Assessment Criteria significant direct contribute Contribution contribution (Value of 0) (Value of 10) (Value of 5)

Identity: Clearly identifiable edges that distinguish the area from the surrounding development

Urban Layout: Strong street pattern or road layout with well defined public spaces

Movement: Building and street layout that is easy to find your way around with good connections to the surrounding streets

Architectural Interest: Area containing buildings of architectural or historic interest 17

Built form: Buildings with cohesive scale, massing and details

Public Realm: High quality public realm and or generally consistent boundary treatments

Trees: Significant trees or shrubs that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area

Landscape: Green open spaces or riverside areas that make a positive contribution to the identity of the area

Features: Topography, significant views or landmarks that contribute to the experience of being within the area

Economic Vitality: Area with few vacant or underused sites which affect the character

Criteria Score 5080 1010

Character Area Total Score 90

Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood Character Area Assessment

1 Mitcham Common

2 Commonside East / Mitcham Junction

3 Mitcham Garden Village

Area of established high quality Area with scope to reinforce existing character 2 Area requiring enhancement to 18 reinforce identity

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Merton borough character study: 13 Mitcham Common Local Neighbourhood