Magistrates' Court to become retirement home (From Sutton Guardian)

Former Sutton courtroom to be turned into retirement flats

10:50am Monday 7th May 2012 in News By James Pepper

Wallington Magistrates' Court is set to be turned into a retirement home.

The court, which closed in June last year, will be demolished and 55 new homes will be put in its place.

Plans for the 55 one- and two-bedroom apartments are still in the early stages, but it is expected the buildings new owners will keep a piece of the court's history in tact.

McCarthy and Stone, which has bought the land, said it plans to include the famous coat of arms which adorned the front of the building somewhere in the new development.

After 68 years of harbouring justice, Wallington Magistrates' Court closed its doors for the final time in June 2011.

The court, in Shotfield, was described as being "small" with a lack of privacy provision for witnesses and custodial defendants in a Ministry of Justice report.

It was also described as "unsuitable" for the majority of people with disabilities, and having no direct access to the youth court cells meant it was for the chop, and with it, went jobs. It has remained boarded up since its closure, but the bulldozers are now on their way.

Resident's were briefed on the plans last month. Architects are currently liaising with the council and are in the process of formulating the final designs.

A public exhibition is to be arranged and will see 1,000 people invited to view the proposals and comment on the design.

McCarthy and Stone provide nearly 70 per cent of all private retirement and Extra Care housing for older home-owners in the country.