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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA
Area (in acres) 3,048
Population, census, 1931 26,249
Population, census, 1951 32,751
Registrar-General's estimate of resident population for 1957 32,460
Number of inhabited houses, 1931 7,092
Number of inhabited houses, 1957 10,122
Rateable Value £653,032
Sum represented by penny rate £2,620
The Urban District of Beddington and Wallington was constituted
in 1915 by an Order of the Surrey County Council, the area up to that
time being part of the Croydon Rural District.
By an Order in Council, dated 20th August, 1937, H.M. King George
VI granted a charter to Beddington and Wallington, which was presented
on the 15th September, 1937, by the Lord Lieutenant of the County
of Surrey.
The Borough is bounded on the east by the County Borough of
Croydon, to the north by the Borough of Mitcham, to the west by the
Carshalton Urban District, and to the south by the Urban District
of Coulsdon and Purley.
The Borough is practically fully developed, but the Council has preserved
much of the open character of the area, by the extensive use of its
powers in providing parks and open spaces.
The area is mainly residential, but there are factories in the Borough,
providing employment for some 9,000 people, these being situated mostly
in the northern part of the Borough.
During recent years there has been considerable residential development
in the southern part of the Borough, with the provision of new roads
of detached houses. All this development, in one of the best parts of the
district, has been carried out on a policy of low density of houses to the
acre, and the whole character of the scheme is in keeping with the accepted
standards of the southern part of the Borough.
Parks and open spaces continue to be well maintained, and give
breathing space and facilities for open-air recreational activities. Beddington
Park and Grange Park are used as much as ever, and are an inestimable
boon during the holiday months to children and parents, who are unable
to go away for a holiday.
The pleasing residential character of the district is well maintained,
and is much appreciated by many City workers, who return home to
pleasant relaxation in their gardens and allotments in the evenings.
The Public Health Department continued to administer, as in previous
years, the swimming facilities provided by the Corporation, through the
courtesy of the Surrey County Council, at the bath in the grounds adjoining
the Carew Manor School.
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