Plans to demolish a locally listed warehouse built in 1892 and build a six storey block of flats have been submitted to Merton Council.

The two storey block at 226 London Road in Mitcham was formally known as Merton’s Care and Educational Centre, later the London Road Boys School, and was listed as a building of "historical or architectural" interest in 1991.

In 2009 the building was offered to the Muslim community on a charitable basis with the Mitcham Makkah Masjid occupying the building until 2012.

Now vacant, developers want permission to tear it down and rebuild a six storey block of flats comprising 51 residential flats.

The proposal has so far received six written objections with concerns raised over the loss of a historic building, increased traffic and the size and design of the proposed building which critics have said is not in keeping with the area.

The Mitcham Society has called for the historic building to be preserved.

A spokesperson from the group said: "The proposed design is jarring when considered against existing nearby buildings.

"It looks much more like something taken from a pattern book than something sensitively designed to fit into local context.

"This is the only surviving building of the Holburn Union workhouse complex and is locally listed.

"The workhouse played a significant part in the history of Mitcham and once comprised numerous buildings.

"Many were demolished in the 1930s.

"This one building remains as a reminder of what was once a significant complex making it a special part of the heritage of Mitcham.

"It needs to be preserved."

Tony Burton, from the Mitcham Cricket Green and Community Heritage Group, said: "It is right next to the grade one listed Eagle House. 

"It will have a significant impact on the setting of that building. 

"It's poorly designed and 'blocky' and doesn't show any respect to Mitcham given that it is adjacent to a grade one listed building."

The application is due to go before the planning applications committee in due course when it will be decided by councillors.

 

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