Merton Council faces criticism over Burn Bullock pub enforcement

Owners of the Burn Bullock pub in Mitcham are continuing to store vehicles on the site, despite a Merton Council enforcement notice demanding their removal. The owners, Phoenix Group Investments Limited, state the cars are a necessary deterrent against vandalism and unauthorised caravan occupation. They have indicated they will comply with the notice only when refurbishment work begins on the Grade II-listed pub and a planned care home development on the car park.

Enforcement history and current situation

Merton Council issued the enforcement notice in February 2023, requiring the cessation of car storage and the removal of portable cabins used for storage. The deadline for compliance was April 2023. However, recent observations indicate that numerous cars remain parked behind the pub. Kam Baig, representing Phoenix Group Investments, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the cars were stockpiled on police advice following incidents of caravans attempting to park on the site and squatters occupying the pub, who he claimed were responsible for the fire.

The Burn Bullock, located on Cricket Green, suffered extensive fire damage in April 2024, affecting its timber roof and interior. The building remains exposed to the elements and is on the Heritage at Risk Register. Mr Baig estimated that refurbishing the pub would cost over £2 million, with work needed on the roof, windows, and interior. Previous plans from 2016 proposed redeveloping the site into flats with a ground-floor pub. The current proposal includes refurbishing the pub, building a care home, and extending the adjoining Mitcham Cricket Club pavilion.

Criticism and council response

Tony Burton, Secretary of Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage (MCGCH), described the continued presence of cars as a failure of council enforcement. He stated that the pub's condition blights the neighbourhood and threatens cricket on the Green. Mr Burton suggested that compulsory purchase by Merton Council might be the only remaining option to secure the pub's future, given the owners' alleged failure to regenerate the site.

A spokesperson for Merton Council acknowledged residents' concerns about the Burn Bullock's condition. The council stated it has taken repeated enforcement actions over more than a decade regarding the building's condition and unauthorised uses, including vehicle storage. Following the April 2024 fire, council officers assisted emergency services and issued a notice for the owners to make the building and site permanently safe. The council is working with Historic England to ensure the building's protection and is exploring all available options to preserve the historical structure. The council's Local Plan aims to safeguard the pavilion's use for cricket and secure community ownership, alongside the Burn Bullock's restoration.