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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 v/est by the Carshalton Urban
District, and to the south by the Urban District of Coulsdon and Purley.
By the London Government Act of 1963, under which there are established
new administrative areas to be known as London Boroughs, Beddington and
Wallington will cease as and from the 1st April, 1965 to be a separate unit
of local government administration. From that date it will be joined up
with the former Urban District of Carshalton and the Municipal Borough of
Sutton and Cheam, to form the new London Borough of Sutton.
During the 28 years of existence, the Borough has shown very considerable
development. The mainly residential character has been maintained and
expanded, mostly in the southern part. The centre of the town in recent
years, however, has shown a newer type of residential development with the
introduction of blocks of flats. Reorganised shop centres are under
construction and there has also been an expansion of office accommodation.
While the town can be described as in part a London dormitory, there is much
more employment available locally. Factories in the Borough provide employment
for some 10,000 people, these being situated mostly in the northern
part of the Borough.
New development is contemplated on the site of the former Croydon
Aerodrome. A very comprehensive plan has been approved and it is hoped in a
few years to see a completely developed new area comprising houses, schools,
shops and offices. This site has an area of 407 acres, and it is proposed
to house 5,230 persons, the total number of houses being 1,848.
Parks and open spaces continue to be well maintained, and give breathing
space and facilities fc-r open-air recreational activities. Beddington Park
and Grange Park are used as much as ever, and are an estimable 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.
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