Category Archives: Buildings

Church Road Welfare Centre

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Currently known as ‘La Sporta Community Centre’, the land at the corner of Church Path and Church Road was bought in 1936 by Mitcham Borough Council from Donald Stair Drewitt (or Drewett?). They built a maternity and child welfare centre, around 1939. After health services transferred from the local council to the health authorities, the building became Lasporta Community Centre in 1993. It was sold in 2012 for £300,000.

The freehold title for this property is TGL88228, which contains in its Charges Register a covenant that states that no housing should be built on the site, nor should there be any trade or business detrimental to the neighbouring
property.

This building is not mentioned in the Mitcham Borough Health Report for the year 1939, but is in 1940. The Parish Rooms at Lower Green West were last mentioned in 1939 so it is assumed that its functions transferred to this building at the same time.

Council minutes from 14th February 1939 say that the builder was Charles Sayers & Sons Ltd, whose bid was £4,586. Source: page 375, Mitcham Borough Council minutes, volume 5.

1953 OS map

The building was also used as an ante-natal clinic, holding mothercraft clases, a parentcraft circle, a post-natal clinic and for diptheria immunisation.

2009 La Sporta

2009

Prior to being sold in 2012, the building was used as the ‘La Sporta Community Centre’.

2016

2016

The Canons Minutes – 1948 Survey by Borough Engineer

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From the minutes of the
Allotments Committee
July 8, 1948

The Canons

I have made a survey of The Canons with respect to its present condition, and have to report that the house is, generally, in a dilapidated state owing to:-

(a) the property not being fully occupied;
(b) the defective state of the roof;
(c) windows and doors not being fully weatherproof.

Essential external repairs would cost approximately £300, and internal repairs and decorations about £700. In my opinion the total amount recoverable from the War Damage Commission in respect of war damage repair would be between £100 and £150.

The following is a summary of the accommodation, references being to the plans which I lay before you.

Basement
Room No. Remarks
1 Caretaker’s living room
2 Unused. Suitable only for storage.
3 Unused. Suitable only for storage.
4 Coal storage
5 Coal storage
6 Larder. Suitable for storage.
7 Caretaker’s scullery
8 Ladies’ lavatory
9 Suitable only for storage.
10 Suitable only for storage.
Ground Floor
Room No. Remarks
11 Entrance hall
12 Used by Scouts
13 Suitable for use when repaired
14 Suitable for use when repaired
15 Used for dressing accommodation, etc.
16 Used by Scouts
16A Used by Scouts
17 Storage
17A Caretaker’s W.C.
First Floor
Room No. Remarks
18 Caretaker’s bedroom
19 Caretaker’s bedroom
20 Caretaker’s living room
21 Suitable for use when repaired
22 Used by Athletic Clubs
23 Used by Athletic Clubs
24 Used by Athletic Clubs
Attic Floor
Room No. Remarks
25 Suitable for use when repaired
26 Suitable for use when repaired
27 Suitable for storage.
28 Suitable for use when repaired
29 Suitable for use when repaired
30 Suitable for use when repaired
31 Suitable for use when repaired

Yours obediently,
Riley Schofield,
Borough Engineer and Surveyor.

Resolved – That the Borough Engineer be instructed to carry out the repairs suggested.

Source: Proceedings of the Council and committees, Mitcham Borough Council, Volume 14 1947-48, pages 723-4

Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Borough Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.