While the future of an historic Mitcham icon has been given a boost, the same can't be said about a pub right around the corner.

Last week the Mitcham cricket pavilion's status as an 'asset of community value' was renewed by Merton Council for another five years.

This delighted secretary of civic society Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage, Tony Burton, who said the renewal was an important statement of the "vital" role the pavilion plays in the community.

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But he added that its future, as well as that of the closed, Grade II listed Burn Bullock pub, remained uncertain, saying that plans to build a hotel to the rear of the site may be heading in another direction.

"It appears that earlier proposals for a hotel on the rear car park may not proceed as the owners have found it difficult to find an operator," Mr Burton said.

"There is talk of the development now being a care home and this is likely to be of a similar size.

"It remains unclear whether this will impact on the land occupied by the pavilion and/or whether control of the pavilion will be transferred to the local community.

"We are pressing Merton Council to make this a condition of any planning permission and to write it into its forthcoming Local Plan."

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In a cross-party statement issued last year, Merton councillors said that as part of any development proposals for the site they were "united" in their desire to see the transfer of Mitcham cricket pavilion and all its operational land and buildings into community ownership and management through transfer of the freehold or provision of a 999 year lease.