Gordon Road

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O X S H O T T

№ 30

• 30 Gordon Road, KT10 0PQ — 2020/2896 — PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear extension, front porch, rear raised terrace to a height of 0.5m, associated landscaping and groundworks and alterations to fenestration following demolition of existing detached garage and removal of chimney stack. — COUNCIL RESPONSE: No objection (PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING 3-DEC-20)

№ 36

• 36 Gordon Road KT10 0PQ — 2020/2433 — PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear/side extension, single-storey side extension, increase size of rear dormer window and alterations to fenestration following partial demolition of existing dwelling — COUNCIL RESPONSE: Refused by EBC.

EBC refused permission on the grounds that

• “the single storey element of the proposal and the proposed extension to the dormer window, by reason of their scale, bulk, massing, design and materials would result in harm to the host dwelling, the character of the area and the street scene contrary to Policies CS17, DM2, the Design and Character SPD and the Companion Guide: Home Extensions”
• “the proposed single storey element of the proposal, by reason of its siting, depth, scale and bulk would result in material harm to the amenities of the residents of No 34 contrary to DM2” (PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING 5-JAN-21)

• 36 Gordon Road KT10 0PQ — 2020/3577 — PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear/side extension, single-storey side extensions, increase size of rear dormer window and alterations to fenestration following partial demolition of existing dwelling. — COUNCIL RESPONSE: No objection, no comment (PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING 28-JAN-21)
• 36 Gordon Road KT10 0PQ — 2020/2433 — PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear/side extension, single-storey side extension, increase size of rear dormer window and alterations to fenestration following partial demolition of existing dwelling. — COUNCIL RESPONSE: No objection with comments. Observations: 1. Network Rail don’t appear to have been consulted as the house backs on to railway. 2. A tree is being removed on the plans however it is in a conservation area. (PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING 5-NOV-20)

№ 52

• 52 Gordon Road KT10 0PQ — 2020/1104 — PROPOSAL: Tree Preservation Order EL:07/10 - Reduce 1 x Oak height by 1.5m and spread by 3m. — COUNCIL RESPONSE: No Comment (PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING 16-JUL-20)

The area

• It was noted that some branches are coming through from the fence running along the pathway between Dalmore Avenue and The Foley damaging the fence. In addition, Glenavon Close has some bushes requiring trimming as they are coming on to pavement and branches from an old tree remained on the corner of Hurstbourne. It was also raised that a Junction box on Gordon Road was broken. (PARISH COUNCIL H&TE MEETING 10-DEC-20)

AP99 Clerk to contact SCC to get branches removed from Hurstbourne & fixing the Gordon Road junction box & to ask Glenavon Close to be cleared by CPC HGS contractor. (PARISH COUNCIL H&TE MEETING 10-DEC-20)

Flooding

5

To discuss the EA Flood Action Campaign.

The Clerk circulated the EA Flood action plan to Committee members ahead of the meeting. The prime focus of the EA Flood Action plan is to raise awareness of flooding with the general public. EBC had actioned a full strategic review of the flood situation in Claygate in 2019. In this review Claygate was classed as low risk for flooding from rivers. The River Rythe had creating some fluvial flooding on Hare Lane and Raleigh Drive historically. The EBC review noted that there is a high risk of surface water flooding in Claygate. SCC have identified the following locations as susceptible to surface water flooding: Oaken Lane, Gordon Road, The Avenue, The Parade, Foley Road, Church Road, Coverts Road, and Littleworth Road. It was noted that SCC had been actively clearing gullies in a number of problem roads over the winter period. In particular, the work that SCC had done in widening the gullies on Church Road by the bus stop, appeared to have been a success. SCC will still need to clear out the gullies each year due to leaves but once cleared the gullies should function correctly and Church Road should remain flood free. Finally, it was noted that Claygate Centre on Elm Road was an Emergency Rest Centre in the event of a flooding incident. The CPC urged Claygate residents to move their cars on days that SCC are cleaning gullies to ensure SCC has the best chance in preventing surface water flooding. They asked that Raleigh Drive residents contact Thames Water in the event of flooding in that area as it was often relating to the pumping station by Hare Lane Green. CPC would continue to push that new developments in the area, such as Claygate House, are taking a proactive responsibility to protect the River Rythe area from future flooding and that they are doing their bit to maintain the river. The Committee agreed that EBC Strategic Flood review had identified the areas of concern and that CPC will continue to monitor the situation. The Clerk then updated the committee on the flooding under the railway bridge on the Bridleway South of the A3. Savills had informed her that they had Freeflow on site for three days pumping water from the underpass to try and clear the drain, however they were fighting a losing battle as the water was coming off the fields and into the underpass faster than we could pump it out. They’ve spoken to Surrey County Council and H&S signage has gone up for the time being to advise of deep water and blocked access. They will then need to revisit this in April/May once the winter rains have passed to pump the water away and then either clear the existing drain or look at alternative options of providing an outlet for the surface water run-off. Savills want CPC to be assured that it is something they are taking seriously and they are looking to find a long-term solution to. (PARISH COUNCIL HT&E MEETING 11-FEB-21)

Historical Notes

The Foley Estate

The arrival of the railway stimulated the development of housing in Claygate. One of the village's largest landowners, the Hon Fitzalan Charles John Foley, later the 6th Baron Foley, parcelled up for sale in 1885 the area which is largely encompassed by Church Road, Vale Road, Hare Lane and the railway. This area was divided up into 258 plots. Many of the plots had 25 foot frontages and cost £50, as it was expected that the main development would comprise small suburban villas. In fact only a limited number of these smaller properties were built, mainly along Vale Road and the northern end of Gordon Road, as many purchasers bought two or more adjoining plots on which they built one large house.

The development plan was also altered in a number of other respects:

• Abrook (not Arbrook) Lane which was an old lane to Arbrook Farm was not developed.
• Fitzalan Road was confined between Beaconsfield and Foley Roads and not extended to Church Road.
• Plans to build St. Johns Road on the east side of the railway, Charlotte Road, St. George's Road and St. James's Road on the west side, were not executed.
• The proposed level crossing halfway along Gordon Road did not materialise, but a bridge over the railway off Claremont Road (the proposed name was Charles Road) was constructed.

It would seem that Fitzalan Foley misjudged his market who in the main built large Victorian houses, most of which still remain to this day although there have been several casualties along the way. Perhaps it is not surprising that the size and quality of houses that were built were rather better than originally envisaged.

• Firstly, there was the attraction and influence of nearby Claremont.
• Secondly, the terms of sale tended indirectly to encourage such development:
  • For example, no private dwelling houses could be erected on plots 1 to 19, 40 to 46, 71 to 146 and 161 to 209 inclusive of less value than £300 for a single house or £500 for a pair of houses.
  • For plots 20 to 39, 47 to 51,56 to 70, 147 to 160 and 210 to 258 the minimum values were £500 to £800 respectively, and for plots 52 to 55 £300 for a house or shop.
  • The excavation of clay and other soil was prohibited except for the purpose of erecting the building, as also were the manufacture of bricks and other industrial activities.

Thus although the original development plan was not realised in its entirety, nevertheless by 1914 the basic pattern of housing envisaged by Fitzalan Foley was established along much of Gordon Road and Beaconsfield Road, and also along part of Foley Road and Claremont Road. The houses on Foley Road near the junction with Coverts Road that back onto the recreation ground were originally built to accommodate some of the living-out domestic staff of Ruxley Lodge when it was owned by the Foley family.

Newlands College

Newlands College, a preparatory school for boys and girls with a kindergarten section, was founded by Mr and Mrs Albert Hill at Weston Green in 1927. The college moved to 'Elmside', Gordon Road, in 1938. Leo Constantinides, who joined the school in 1928, took over as headmaster from Mrs Hill in 1952 and continued in that capacity until the lease expired in 1973 when he retired and the school was closed. Elmside was subsequently demolished and a pair of maisonettes built on the site.

Rowan Preparatory School

Rowan Preparatory School for girls was founded by Miss Katherine Millar in 1936 with seven pupils at Rowan Brae in Gordon Road. It has grown significantly since those days and presently comprises the Lower and Middle Schools of Rowan Brae, and the nearby Upper School of Rowan Hill at Fitzalan Road which opened in 1944. The school caters for girls from 3 to 12, with the object of preparing the older girls for Common Entrance and scholarships to public schools, also for boys from 3 to 5 years of age. It was then owned by the Rowan Preparatory School Trust Limited.