The recently restored Grade 2 listed ice house at Burntwood School, Tooting has been awarded a design award by Wandsworth Council. The Council Press release announcing the award cites”a ‘flawless’ restoration of a grade II listed ice house that was on the Heritage at Risk Register.”
You can read the Press Release here.
You can read a report on the THG visit to the Ice House in November 2017 here.
Looking down to the brick-lined floor of the ice house with the drain in the centre.
There is a planning application for major redevelopment at St. Boniface Church in Mitcham Road, Tooting. The proposals are for:
“Demolition of existing church halls on the west side of St Boniface Church and erection of part two, part three-storey building to existing Mitcham Road terrace and two-storey, three-storey and four-storey buildings to the rear. To accommodate a mixed use development including a community centre (Class D1) with ancillary offices and cafe, presbytery with four units for priests and two guest rooms, retail units (Class A1) and 10 residential units (5 x 2-bedroom and 5 x 3-bedroom). Associated car parking, cycle and refuse storage, boundary treatment and landscaping.”
St Boniface Church and the neighbouring St Nicholas church are both listed buildings (Grade 2). The proposals are out for consultation at the moment and you have until 11th January 2018 to comment to the Council. Full details can be found on the Council’s website here.
14 members and friends of the Tooting History Group visited the Springfield/Burntwood Ice House on the morning of 28th November 2017. The ice house is in the grounds of Burntwood School, Burntwood Lane. We were very warmly welcomed by Helen Dorfman, Head Teacher and Cath Brookes, Deputy Head and Head of History. They gave us an informative presentation which had been prepared by history students in the school for Governors.
The ice house is Grade 2 listed and for a long time was on the heritage at risk register (details here). However, this year the school has arranged clearance and restoration of the ice house using money from the developers of the nearby Springfield Hospital site. We were able to see the rebuilt entrance way and look down into the brick-lined ice house. We also saw some of the late 19th and early 20th century objects which had been retrieved during the restoration.
Members of Tooting History group at the Springfield ice House November 2017.
The reconstructed entrance passage to the ice house.
Looking down to the brick-lined floor of the ice house with the drain in the centre.
The brick dome of the ice house is being covered with a layer of topsoil prior to being turfed over. The entrance has been reconstructed and you can see where the original brickwork meets the reconstruction. We were reassured that 19th Century bricks have been used at £30 each! The view of the floor shows the drain hole for meltwater from the ice, which the builder advised us was still working.
The ice house has a claim to being the oldest built structure in Tooting. However, not much is known about Springfield House which the ice house was attached to. Quite a lot is known about Springfield Farm which was incorporated into the grounds of Springfield Hospital when it was built in 1841.
A new planning application is expected shortly for the Tooting Constitution Club site at 111-113, Tooting High Street. The application is for an “aparthotel” of a similar size to the previously approved apartments. 226 suites are proposed. You can find details of the developers proposals here.
Tooting Constitution Club June 2017
The presentation, organised by the developers of the RACS building, aims to let Tooting know exactly what they have planned for the space, after their recent planning proposal to Wandsworth Council.
All are welcome to attend the events from 10am to 5pm on the 16th, 23rd and 30th of September. The first event, on the 16th, will take place at 1 Hebdon Road, SW17 7NP. The second and third events will take place at Jasmin’s, 202 Upper Tooting Rd, SW17 7TG, although this may be subject to change.
Proposal For RACS Building In Upper Tooting Road
Tooting History Group 