Protecting our Carshalton heritage

Like you, we value our local heritage and we want to protect it for generations to come. There are several exciting developments and as your local councillors, we thought you’d like an update.

In 2011 the Council started looking at the future use of buildings in Carshalton. We undertook widespread consultation on possible options for the sensitive use and protection of historic heritage buildings all situated within the Carshalton Village Conservation Area, and the parkland in and around Carshalton Ponds and The Grove Park. In total six thousand local residents were contacted by the Council to ask them for views, and six Carshalton Friends groups were also consulted.

This led to a special meeting of the Carshalton Local Committee in September 2011, attended by over seventy local residents. As residents were clear that they wanted such assets to stay in community hands where possible, they voted for progressing the Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector (SCVS)proposal for a voluntary sector centre at The Grove House and Ecolocal proposals for use of The Lodge as an ecological centre.

The Lodge.

Ecolocal has submitted final proposals to the Council for a mixed use office/classrooms and residential development at The Lodge, a much loved Victorian building. Ecolocal’s proposals were considered to offer best value and to provide the basis for a sustainable long term use of The Lodge that would provide significant benefits to the community.

The Ecolocal proposal was debated and agreed at a meeting of Full Council on Monday 2nd November at the Civic Offices in Sutton.

The Old Rectory.

The Old Rectory is a Grade 2 Georgian house and is of major historical importance. Carshalton Friends groups have formed a new organisation Carshalton Old Rectory Association (CORA) proposing to convert the building into an Arts Centre with residential flats. This proposal is subject to CORA obtaining funding, and they have been given until March 2016 to find this.

Commitment was given in 2011 that the Council would not sell the Old Rectory, due to its importance locally.

Stonecourt.

Stonecourt, situated at the corner of Grove Park with Mill Lane and North Street, will be sold for residential use either by freehold or on a long lease by private treaty. This will ensure future control over the use of the building, parking restrictions (The Grove Park is car free) and maintain full public access to the park. This matches residents’ wishes as expressed in 2011.

The Grove House.

Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector (SCVS) in partnership with The Volunteer Centre Sutton and the Friends of the Grove, will be applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund in March 2016 for a grant to restore the large 1840s house, set up a trust of local people to manage Grove House, record and celebrate a 200 year story of giving from philanthropy to voluntary action, and to deliver heritage skills training and a heritage volunteer programme.

SCVS have recently consulted local people about their plans. Comments can be sent to Your ward councillors have been reporting back on how these proposals have progressed through Focus leaflets, through Carshalton Local Committee and other meetings. We are pleased to say that theproposals are progressing well.

 

 

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