Tolworth Orchard Apple Store


Does this building look familiar? Would it surprise you to know that, not only is it in the borough, but it is in public ownership. This does not mean there is public access, as it is located on a site that is leased to an organisation that has no use for it. 


Damaged brick work
Missing roof tiles
It was probably used for storing apples when the area was an orchard. Unfortunately the building is in a state of disrepair with damage to the brickwork and missing roof tiles. The windows are boarded up at the  northern elevation.


It would make a pretty fantastic bat roost, as it has many features that are of interest to bats, including being part of a treeline. There are signs that bats have been using it, as we found some tell-tale droppings on one of the windows. Its just a case of getting agreement so that we can weather proof the building and then add some access bricks and bat roosting features.
Dropping-like smuts on a window, typical of bat droppings





Comments

  1. Anonymous10 December 2015 at 03:20

    Hi Benton, what a lovely looking building, where exactly is it located?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Benton10 December 2015 at 03:39

      Hi William, it is at Riverhill sports club where the mobile homes are. It can only be seen from the university sport ground. A year ago I asked the council if they could list it as a BTM (Building of Townscape Merit). They have just responded saying that they could not visit it due to staff shortages. In this period the building has suffered a lot of damage as a new plot has been created around the site and many tiles have fallen off the roof.

      Delete
  2. Paul Sloan20 June 2018 at 05:37

    Would it be suitable as a swift tower?

    ReplyDelete

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