A housing association is in "advanced discussions" to turn two of Mitcham’s historic landmarks into flats, an MP revealed this morning.

The owner of the Burn Bullock pub and cricket pavilion in Cricket Green is negotiating a deal to sell the dilapidated site to housing developers, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh told concerned residents at a public meeting in the car park.

It is not yet known which housing association is considering buying the site, which also includes a large car park at the back of the London Road Jobcentre.

The 17th century Burn Bullock pub, a listed building, has been closed since September 2009 and is currently occupied by squatters.

The cricket pavilion built in 1904 has been refurbished and is run by Mitcham Cricket Club.

Car salesmen operating from the pub's car park without planning permission have been ordered by Merton Council to leave by October 20, or face prosecution. 

More than 20 residents attended the meeting to discuss the future of the site with Ms McDonagh, a council regeneration officer and representatives from Mitcham heritage groups.

Chris Lee, director of environment and regeneration at Merton Council, said: "We do know there have been discussions between the owner and a housing association and let’s hope that’s the case because obviously it’s not running properly and housing would be a viable option."

However, Ms McDonagh was sceptical about the desirability of the site for developers, who would inherit a £1.5m repairs bill to make the pub habitable before further building work could begin.

The current owner has until October 27 to submit a planning application to refurbish the building, with five months to bring it up to a safe standard.

If he fails to do so, the council will enforce a compulsory purchase order and take control of the building in partnership with an appointed developer.

Your Local Guardian:

Cars for sale in the Burn Bullock car park

Residents at the meeting raised concerns about fire hazards and the risk of arson, after John Mansfield, chairman of Mitcham Society, found half a can of petrol in the car park.

Linda Bowdery and Dot Deacon, who both grew up in Mitcham, said they would like the pub to be turned into a Wetherspoons.

Mrs Deacon added: "If it became housing I couldn’t bare it. I have lived in Mitcham all my life and it’s part of growing up. This is Mitcham. If you take this away and the cricket pavilion as well then you’ve got nothing."

The purchase of the site by housing developers would be subject to planning approval from Merton Council.

Michael Green, of Figges Marsh, said: "I would like it to be made into a museum of Mitcham heritage.

"If they turn it into a pub we have so many pubs around here and they are all going out of business. Or it could be made into something for the younger generation."

Alan Hutchings, of Mitcham Independent Party, said he would like the site to be taken over by a public consortium, giving residents the chance to decide on its future.

The chairman of Mitcham Cricket Club, Peter White Young, said: "If we lost the pavilion, we lose cricket. We are required to have facilities so we don’t know from one day to the next what our future is.

The club, which is used by about 400 Mitcham residents, had a "game-changing" season this summer, with the second 11 team only losing two matches.

Your Local Guardian:

Residents discuss the future of the site with MP Siobhain McDonagh and Merton Council environment and regeneration director Chris Lee. 

Sandra Vogel, trustee of Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage, said: "We want to see this fantastic listed building’s character respected in anything that happens to it in the future because it’s a real local landmark.

"We also don’t want to see anything bad happen to the cricket pavilion."

Merton Council will find out in January if a bid worth hundreds of thousands of pounds submitted to Heritage Lottery Fund to help restore the site has been successful.

Are you concerned about the state of the Burn Bullock? How would you like to see it developed? Comment below or e-mail louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.