View report page

5.
REPORT
STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OP THE AREA
Area (in acres) 2,932 acres
Population, Census 1921 35,119
" "1931 56,856
" " 1951 67,269
" " 1961 63,653
Registrar-General's estimate of population mid-year,
1964 62,580
Density of Population, 1961 21.4 persons
per acre
Number of inhabited houses, 1921 7,150
" " " " 1931 13,187
" " " " 1964 20,676
Rateable Value, 1964 £3,281,708
Sum represented by a 1d. rate £13,335
The Borough of Mitcham is an irregular oval in shape, situated
in North-East Surrey adjoining the south-west border of the London
metropolitan area. It is fairly flat and low lying, with some 600 acres
of open space including the 440 acres of Mitcham Common.
The River Wandle, whioh forms the south-west and western
boundary, separates Mitcham from Beddington and Wallington in the south
and Carshalton in the west, as it runs a northwards course towards the
Thames.
The soil of Mitcham consists of up to four feet of top-soil with
about ten feet of gravel sub-soil, except for one or two parts where
London clay comes to the surface. Below the gravel London clay extends
downwards for 200 to 300 feet.
Mitcham, with over 300 factories, has a great variety of
industries, of which the chief ones are paint and varnish, chemical,
engineering, margarine, dairy products, and confectionery.
Slum Clearance
The nine areas submitted to the Minister in 1963 were approved with
sane minor amendments. Recommendations for further areas involving 219 houses
were adopted as the Council's proposals for slum clearance during the next
five year clearance programme.