HISTORY

Contents:

William Coles, Norbury farmer and slave owner

Aspects of Norbury 1908-1912

Kathy Stobart, Jazz Saxophonist

Norbury Trading Estate

Why needs special protection

Newsletter No. 2. May 2018

History & Social Action Publications £1

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Compiled and edited by Sean Creighton

History & Social Action Publications

6 Oakhill Rd, , SW16. [email protected]

Printed by Cherrill Print, 297 Road, South , CR2 6EQ

May 2018

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William Coles, Norbury farmer and slave owner

William was one of the sons of the London merchant and sugar-broker Thomas Coles who purchased the Addington Place estate in 1802. When Thomas died in 1805 his interests in had badly damaged his business affairs.

William was involved in land transactions in 1810 with three merchants being appointed the Croydon area between 1802 and 1810. assignees of his estate and effects. They He is believed to have specialised in buying sold off what he owned and leased, in the up old properties, altering or rebuilding case of Norbury Hall to Richard Sanderson. them. In 1802 he leased land in Norbury and built what became Norbury Hall. He went on By 1818 William’s economic fortunes must to lease or purchase land in the Thornton have improved because he took a lease on Heath area of the London Rd, Kingswood Blunt House in Croham. He made ‘tasteful Lodge near Park, the Manor of additions to the buildings and pleasure Crewes in Warlingham, a farm near West grounds, as not only to adorn the estate but Wickham, woodland and a sand pit in also considerably improve the southern and land in Addington. approach to the town of Croydon.’ He visited the West Indian island of Dominica in William appears to have been committed to May 1834, returned and died in February improving farming. In his 1805 book The 1835. Compendium of Modern Husbandry James Malcolm, an agricultural improver, discussed As joint owners of the Herbert’s estate on William’s methods at his Norbury Farm. Antigua 117 he and his partner were awarded £622 15s. 1d. as compensation for These land transactions and developments the emancipation of 34 enslaved peoples, were being undertaken during the wars with which was paid out after his death. His son France. One of the special functions the William was successful in his claim as a joint Coles family performed was as agents for mortgagee of the Cassada Garden estate on the looking after and disposal of ships Antigua (197 enslaved people; £2856 18s. captured as prizes during the Wars. 11d)

All this land and property investment must William’s brother Thomas who lived at have overstretched William because in 1808 from at least 1818 received he sold Addington Place to the See of with his nephew William a £420. 17s 1d. Canterbury which became the Archbishop’s share of the compensation for 127 slaves on Palace. He was declared bankrupt on 10 July the estate on Dominica. (Source. Sean Creighton. Croydon’s Connections with the British Slavery Business. Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society. Proceedings. Vol. 20. Part 1. September 2017)

Aspects of Norbury 1908-1912

Complaints about the Tram Service

Letter from ‘Reform’ to the Editor of The Croydon Advertiser, 9 May 19108

‘That our reactionary Council are making the I will cite two instances that have occurred best use of their time in rendering all this week. On Thursday evening when I opposition in their power to the success of arrived at Norbury terminus there was no our trams is evident to everyone living in the tram in evidence. A bus had just started Norbury district. “full up.” Proceeding on foot it was not until I reached Ederline-avenue that I met a tram Living near the Pond I have had on occasion coming to Norbury. This was also full with during the past twelve months to travel passengers standing inside. I continued my between here and Norbury by car, during journey on foot, and when I arrived at the which time I have heard hundreds of Pond no car from NORBURY was in sight. The complaints by passengers regarding the following evening I was more fortunate for I inefficient service, and during the past three managed to catch a tram as it was starting. months it has been a common occurrence, in We filled up and had some standing as usual. making the return journey of an evening, to travel with eight or nine standing inside. 3

At Norbury Station we had to refuse a batch large increase of passengers. of nine people, and between here and Brigstock-road there must have been at least Of course, the reason for this state of affairs forty (probably more) waiting at the various is obvious. Our Council want to be in a stopping places for a car, but to each the position to say that our municipal trams do conductor gave the comforting cry, “Full not pay, and then re-lease them to the up.” British Electric Traction Co, again.

That we have a sufficient number of cars is It is to be hoped that the people will proved by the Bank Holiday traffic, and I remember these gentry next November think if the other routes are as badly served when they attempt re-election. as this it proves that with proper “By their works ye shall know them.”’ organisation our trams might carry a very Note. Unless otherwise stated all dates below are from Croydon Advertiser)

Independent Order of Good Templers August. 1908. p.2) A further £21. 8s. 10d was raised for the Fund in August. (5 The Norbury Whitgift Lodge of the September 1908. p. 2) Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT) held a social and musical evening on the last Court Case against the Hobbs of Norbury Saturday in March at the Temperance Hall in Hall Mint Walk in the Town Centre. (4 April 1908. p. 12) In June Walter Henry May of 1 Station Parade was awarded £150 damages for The IOGT was a fraternal organisation ‘alleged fraudulent representation in the promoting temperance or total abstinence sale of a baker’s business’ in the Kings founded in the United States in 1851. Bench Division of High Court, against the Membership was open to men and women Hobbs brothers V. Arthur Thomas and James equally, and to anyone regardless of race. In William (27 June 1908. p. 7) A stay of 1875, after the American Civil War, the execution was refused. (4 July 1908. p. 6 American senior body voted to allow and 7) separate lodges and Grand Lodges for white and black members, in line with segregation Norbury Brickfield in southern US states. In 1876 having failed to prevent this the British split off. The two The building of the by the organisations merged in 1887. included making bricks on site. The manufacture was very Norbury’s New Church St Stephen’s, productive making more bricks than were Warwick Rd need for the estate. The Housing Committee was informed in July that a net deficit of St Stephen’s Church in Warwick Rd held its £6,342 had accumulated at 31 March inc. first social event in spring 1908. The vicar £2,319 interest, but that the value of the was Rev. A. G. Edwards. (4 April 1908. p. 3) stock of bricks was £12,097. 14s. 4d. (1 August 1908. p. 2) There was a range of fundraising activities. £10.16s was collected for foreign missionary The Committee recommended use of surplus work. A Saturday Floral Fete was held at The stock for the building of the new LCC Grove, London Rd, Thornton Heath, the Estate in . The home of Mrs Stockham to raise money for total stock of bricks was 6.250m, 3.8 used the Building Fund. (11 July 1908. p. 2) By for Norbury, and 1,022 available for August this was £100. Mrs Stockham ran a Totterdown. It hoped that other band of 15 lady harpists and entertainers at opportunities would rise for selling surplus Crystal Palace on Monday 10 August (8 stock. (23 April 1909. p.2)

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Norbury Methodism

The Norbury Methodist Men’s meeting was run by the Methodist Church in Beatrice Ave. It met weekly and its activities were reported on in the Croydon Advertiser. In May it discussed the Liberal Government’s Licensing Bill, which was an issue of much debate around the country (e.g. 9 May, p. 5 & 16 May 1908. p. 12)

The group’s first anniversary was held on 17 January 1909 at 3pm. F. C. Whitaker was the speaker with George Shrubsell in the Chair. At 6.30pm a Brotherhood Address was given by Rev. T. H. Barratt (Advert. 16 January 1909. p. 6)

Raising Money for St Philip’s New Church Hall

St Philip’s Church in Beatrice Ave was fundraising for a new church hall and held a fete in July.‘

‘Wet weather precluded the use of the arranged by the Misses Fletcher and Foster. grounds of Quarryhurst, London-rd, Norbury, Mr. E. A. Adams (hon. Organist) and Mr. M. kindly offered by Mr. and Mrs. E. Fletcher Wheeler, junr. Country and maypole dances for the purposes of a garden fete to raise were charmingly given by Mrs. Drew’s money for the site and building of St. pupils, and there was a display of physical Philip’s new church hall, and at the last drill, with arms, &c., by a detachment of moment the infants’ hall at Winterbourne- the Croydon Church Lads’ Brigade under the road schools was secured as the venue for command of Adjt. Withers. On the asphalt this feet. Under the circumstances the playgrounds putting and clock golf, bowls attendance was highly satisfactory and the and skittles were played, the stewards being financial results are likely to be equally so. Messrs. M. Tope, Outram, Strouts, and M. There was no lack of amusements arranged Wheeler. The stall holders were as follows: - by a committee of which Mr. W. S. Tope as Fancy, Mrs Yule and Mrs. Weeks; flower, Miss the hon. Secretary and everybody, Pitt; sweets, Mrs Outram; ices, Mrs. Perry; forgetting the inclement weather, entered cigars and cigarettes, Mr. Roberts. with zest and light-heartedness into the Refreshments under the superintendence of spirit of the event. Half hour concerts were Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Borland, Mrs Grevener, 5

Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Outram, Mrs. Arrowsmith, G . Coles. The old church orchestra under Miss Bowden, Mrs. Coote Reynolds, Mrs. the conductorship of Mr. A. R. Goddard Tope, Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Bewers, Mrs. played numerous selections in the afternoon Hales, Mrs. E. C, Palmer, Miss Booth, Mrs. E. and evening.’ (25 July 1908. p. 3) The King Edward Hall on London Rd was a venue for a variety of activities including concerts, like the one held on Tuesday 26 January 1909 for the St Philip’s Church building fund.

It ‘was well filled on Tuesday night, when a for his brilliant rendering of “Allegro concert, arranged by Mr. E. Adams, the hon. BriIlante,” and other selections. Miss Isabel Organist, was given in aid of the Church Hall Tait is well known locally and her singing building fund, which will doubtless be was much enjoyed, so much so that she had considerably augmented as a result. to oblige again. The humorous recitations of Recently a bazaar was held, and enough Mr. Leonard Harris were very popular, and of money was raised to purchase the site, course, he was recalled. Mr. Herbert Tracey, which is next to the church. It is anticipated the possessor of a rich bass voice, delighted that there will soon be enough money in the audience with his rendering of “Asleep hand to warrant starting the building. The in the deep,” and was called on to sing concert was of a high order and encores again. During an interval in the proceedings were frequent. Part songs were rendered by the Rev. J. H. Cruckmer, the Curate –in- members of St. Philip’s Choir, cello solos by charge of St Philip’s, proposed a vote of Mr. G. F. Booker, and piano solos by Miss thanks to Mr. Adams and those who took Elsie Bennett, L.R.A.M. Mr. J. Eldridge part in the concert.’ (30 January 1909. p. 2) Newman, a talented violinist was encored

Norbury Brotherhood

The national Pleasant Sunday Afternoon (PSA) Brotherhood Movement was founded in 1875 as an informal religious activity aimed at the working class through social and educational gatherings. PSA groups around the country seem to have developed in different ways, according to the interests of their members. had a PSA group formed in 1906 at the Woodside Baptist Church. On the other hand Norbury’s group called itself Brotherhood.

‘The annual concert of this progressive only from a technical standpoint, but also to society was held on Saturday evening in the the average concert goer, who quickly Lecture Hall, Pollard’s-hill, and gave responds to a naturally pleasing and well immense satisfaction to a crowded studied selection. Madame Bradshaw, an old audience. The programme was of a very high favourite with the Norbury brotherhood, has order, and encores were insisted upon from a very pleasing and happy mannerism, and the very commencement. We especially received a very hearty welcome in her songs congratulated the United Brotherhood , “Promises” and “Only a Flower.” “The Orchestra with its 40 performers upon the Yeoman’s Wedding” and “The Midshipmate” excellent selections rendered, the were as popular as ever, and Mr Stanley “Tannhauser” grand march and descriptive Hards put us in a very happy frame of mind gallop, “The Motor Ride,” evoking well as we heard his capital rendering of old deserved praise, and the conductor, Mr. favourites. Mr. Arthur Bull, is well known in Herbert J. Godfrey, well earned the hearty Croydon, and his banjo selections, reception he received. One of the most “Excelsior” and “The Lost Chord,” are a enjoyable features of the whole evening was revelation in banjo performances; in fact, the singing of Miss Ida Bennett, a contralto we never suspected that there was so much of a rich and natural tone, who displayed a real high class music to be extracted from well balanced and sympathetic treatment in this instrument. Another well known artist is the rendering of her songs, “My Dear Soul” Mr. Kenneth Young, who kept his audience in and “Angus Macdonald.” And it was only uproarious merriment by the quaint humour natural that the audience should demand a of his songs, “That Happy Land” and recall. We hope to hear more of this singer. “Hobbies” and as a natural result he was Another favourite was Mr. Frank Nichols with called upon for more and his funny stories his violin solo, and we were glad to hear him were indeed exceedingly happy. Mr. J. again in Croydon. His performance was Lander Moody gave us a very vivid indeed a very finished piece of work, not description of “Winkelheimer’s Motor Ride,”

6 and also described the combination of a programme, and altogether it was one of the stuttering whistler. The popular brightest and most successful concerts accompanist, Mr. W. G. Roffey, appeared to Norbury has ever enjoyed.(3 April 1909. be one of the hardest worked of the whole p.12) Norbury to (Greyound Lane) Public Footpath

‘This path commences on the left side of the London Road before crossing the bridge over the stream ad runs beside the hedge through market gardens and osier beds, ending near another bridge over the in Greyhound Lane, which may be followed either to Streatham or .’

Thornton Heath to Norbury, Streatham, and Public Footpath

‘This path is entered from Warwick Road, at the junction of London Road and Norbury. Starting at an iron-swing-gate, it passes over several pleasant meadows, crossing the Norbury Brook behind Norbury House, and then, passing under the Railway, goes on to Norbury Manor Farm. Here it diverges in three different directions. (a) Turning to the left along a cart track and crossing the railway, the oath ends in St Helen’s Road near Norbury Station. Another path (b) runs from opposite the farmhouse across fields, into the Green Lane, Streatham, a short distance from where the path commences to the Common. The third path (c) goes to the left of the farmhouse, and after crossing the Green Lane, goes diagonally across some fields, terminating in a stile in the road, which comes out opposite a pond at Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood.’

(Bartlett’s Almanac and Guide 1912. p. 95 & 96)

LCC Tenants Association

Having moved into their new homes on the London County Council Norbury estate the tenants set up a Tenants’ Association. The first AGM was held on Tuesday 16 January 1912 in the Wesylan Church Hall.

‘Mr James Weir, the President in the chair. grants amounting to £1 9s had been made to The Secretary, Mr. A. Cowing, submitted the members to assist in the payment of balance-sheet for the year, which showed doctors’ bills, leaving a balance to the good that the income for the year was £25 5s. of £3 3s. 7¼d. The total funds in hand thus 4½d., of which sum £2 14s. 11½ d, was the amounted to £13 2s. The President stated profit on two concerts, the remainder being that this balance was none too large as they subscriptions of members. Seventy-five had still a good part of the winter to face. percent of the members subscriptions and As a matter of fact, the new committee the receipts from the concerts went to the would that evening be asked to make grants general account, making the total income of to three members, who had fallen behind in that account £19 12s. 9½d. From this fund their rent through unemployment. The there had been voted during the in grants to balance sheet was adopted unanimously. members who had been out of employment Some slight alterations were made to the to assist in paying rent, etc.., a sum of £7 rules, and the office-bearers nominated at 5s.6d; and from it had also been paid the the December member were declared expenses incurred in forming the society, elected. These are: President, M. James the rent of halls for meetings, etc., sums Weir; Trustees, Messrs Sutton and amounting to £3 8s. 10½d., leaving a Titheridge; hon. secretary, Mr. A Cowing, 26 balance to the good of £8 8s. 10½d. Twenty- Newlands-road, Norbury’ (20 January 1912. five percent of the members’ subscriptions p. 18) went to the Medical Aid Fund, from which

Kathy Stobart, Jazz Saxophonist

Florence Kathy Stobart was a leading jazz tenor saxophonist who lived in Norbury.

She was born on 1 April 1925 in South Shields saxophone. She started to learn the into a musical family. Her mother was a instrument at the age of 12 and at 14, pianist and two brothers played the 7 joined Don Rico’s Ladies’ Band, for which Lyttelton’s band, and features in the album she also sang and did impressions. Kath Meets Humph.

She then joined Peter Fielding’s dance band Bert Courtley died in 1969. She qualified in Newcastle which played at local air force with a music diploma at the Guildhall School stations. She met the saxophonist member of Music learning the clarinet and flute. She of the RAF Keith Bird who coached her in became a successful music teacher. jazz. In 1942 he invited her to work at a Between 1969 and 1978 she performed with ballroom in . After work she would go Lyttleton. to the Jamboree Club in Wardour Street, playing with Denis Rose’s band. “ She then became director of the student band at the London’s City Literary Institute She married the Canadian pianist Art for 19 years as well as having her own bands Thompson In 1943, and worked with his band and being a guest soloist at clubs and at the Embassy Club. BBC They performed as festivals. She was also a member of the a duo in the first year of the re-launch of women’s big band Gail Force 17 in the mid- BBC TV. After tour of Canada and the United 1980s. She was back with Lyttelton between States she joined the Vic Lewis Orchestra, 1992 and 2004 when she retired. which performed at the 1949 Paris Jazz Fair. She died on 5 July 2014 at the age of 89. She was a guest soloist in Ted Heath’s Sunday Night Swing Shop concerts at the The Daily Telegraph obituary of 8 July 2014 London Palladium, and had her own band, says that she ‘played with a broad, Kathy Stobart and her New Music. forthright tone and clear, unfussy phrasing, characteristics which often led critics to After divorcing Art she married the remark that she played “like a man”.’ trumpeter Bert Courtley in 1951. They had three sons. They settled in Norbury. From Her own view was: “I’ve got a good pair of 1957 she often performed with Humphrey lungs on me and I’ve got well matured emotions. I play like me.”

Sources: Daily Telegraph & Guardian 8 July 2014 http://www.kathystobart.co.uk/biography.html Norbury Trading Estate

The Norbury Trading Estate which is subject of a developer’s proposal to demolish and build a mixed scheme of apartments and light industrial units was the site of a joinery works set up by the Hobbs Brothers in part of the grounds of Norbury Hall in 1901 and which survived under their ownership until 1922.

The works were taken over by Polden & The works firm undertook the joinery work Authers. It is not clear what they did. They at new Kent University’s Eliot College were the owner of 307 Limpsfield Rd in opened in 1965. The firm took on until they sold it in 1936. The apprentices. One of them was Robert works became Norbury Joinery & Cabinet Bennett from 1967. He then did further Works Ltd in 1939. training at the London Furniture College (City & Guilds), and then as a French During World War 2 it repaired Horsa and polisher with the family firm F. Bennett. He Hotspur troop carrying wooden glider planes is now its Managing Director, based at 9 for the Civilian Repair Organisation CRO). Chester Square Mews, near Ebury St. The CRO was formed in 1939 as a branch of the British Air Ministry to co-ordinate The Joinery Works closed in 1970. At some maintenance and repairs of military aircraft stage they were demolished and the site by civilian firms. The Ministry late became used for the new Norbury Trading Estate in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. 1982. Why Pollards Hill Needs Special Protection

In its comments on the draft Croydon Local Plan in 2016 the Norbury Residents Associations Joint Planning Committee (now Love Norbury Planning Committee) requested the independent Planning Inspector visit the Pollards Hill area to make his own assessment as to whether a larger 8 area should be included in the Pollards Hill South Local Heritage Area or that the whole area should be a Conservation Area.

It had recommended in its comments to the Council in 2015 the following amendment:

‘To designate the whole of the Pollards Hill area as a Local Heritage Area in protect its special character with its interlocking built heritage of road layout and houses, its landscaping and ‘rural’ qualities.’

In its supporting statement the JPC said:

‘1. The JPC considers that Pollards Hill’s Club on the west side of the Hill was sold special character can only be protected by before the Second World War for housing giving it Local Heritage Area status. Three development. open spaces exist in the area: the triangle park in Pollards Hill South, the rectangular 6. The last remaining allotments to the park in Briar Rd, and the principle Hill at the west were laid out as additional open space upper end of Pollards Hill North. The Hill in the 1980s after falling into disuse. provides a green oasis in the uniformly laid out northern . 7. By 1988 Pollards Hill had been built over although owing to its unique road 2. The reason Pollards Hill Residents layout, large tracts of garden backland and Association was formed was because of woodland remained undisturbed. concerns about two sets of potential developments in 1988: 8. The road layout of Pollards Hill  between Pollards Wood Rd and Ena ingeniously reflects the natural contours of Rd the Hill. Viewing the plan form of the road,  behind Pollards Hill East, West and an artistic quality is apparent, being a North for sixteen dwellings complete contrast to the immediately An early action of the Association was to adjacent suburban grid of roads, common to apply for designation of a Conservation the northern part of Croydon. The curved Area. and meandering layout has in turn influenced the pattern of housing 3. Pollards Hill summit lies 212 feet development in the area which had been above sea level, and one hundred feet above generally built in the early 1990s. As a by- the London Rd. It is one of Croydon’s highest product the layout also produced large areas vantage points from which to see Epsom of backland, some of which was developed Downs to the south-west on a clear day. It in short cul-de-sac form, around which are was why In 1897 Queen Victoria’s Jubilee sited individually designed and more was celebrated with a beacon lit on the top expensive houses with generously sized of Pollards Hill. In 1988 the spot was still gardens. marked by an Ordnance Survey Trigonometry Station and datum. Evidence of Roman 9. These larger gardens permitted the earthworks was found which is why it had a growth of a variety of mature trees which designation as an Archaeological Priority. At contribute substantially to the rus-in-arbea present the latest development St Philips nature of the area. Additionally, as the Church Vicarage and back of 68-70 approved result of gardens being generally several by the Council has to have a programme of decades in age there exists a wide variety of archaeological work providing adequate shrubs and hedges that supplement the opportunity to investigate and evacuate effect of the mature trees, of which in 1988 archaeological remains on the site. there were eight varieties.

4. The estate roads were laid out in 10. While there are no listed buildings in 1862 and at the end of the 19thC a brickfield Pollards Hill many of the houses have a was located not far from the west boundary distinctive and qualitative architectural of St. Philip’s Church. style derived from some of the most notable English vernacular periods. Their form and 5. Before the First World War the Hill setting in the mature landscape provides was rural in character, houses built between consistently good environmental quality that 1904- 1910 existing in the London Rd end of it is desirable and worthy of retention. Pollards Hill South only. The Norbury Golf 9

11. In 1988 approximately twelve distinctive cluster or group forms of 14. There have been many threats to the dwellings design, and over thirty individually character of the area. A proposal was 17 designed houses were identified. The houses in the later 1970s of woodland to the majority of the designs derived from rear of Pollards Hill South resulted in builder/architect forms prevalent in the permission for nine dwellings, three of early 20thC, a period during which the mass which were bungalows. The developers did production of components was introduced not proceed and sold the land back to two for qualitative housing development, adjacent owners, one of whom lopped and together with selective individuality of plan felled trees subject to preservation orders, forms. The variety of architectural styles against which the Council failed to take any echoes village development, creating a effective enforcement action. sense of entity and place, and adding interest to street scenes. 15. A proposal for two bungalows in the mid-1980s on garden land to the rear of 12. St Philip’s and Norbury Methodist Pollards Hill South and adjacent to Forest Churches are civic landmarks in Pollards Hill Gardens was refused. The application and contrast with the residential seemed designed to open up access along development. St Philip’s was built in 1902 the entire length of the rear of Pollards Hill and its second stage completed 1934. The South outing at risk 1.5 acres of mature Vicarage in Pollards Hill North was built in woodland. 1924 and grounds to the rear were laid out as a tennis court and bowling green. 16. In 1988 a major development was proposed between Pollards Hill East, West 13. In 1988 it was assessed that because and North. The owner/developers ignored of the low density of the Hill, largely tree preservation orders by felling the covered by gardens and open spaces, there mature trees involved. remained strong opportunities for the survival of wild life, with sightings of foxes, 17. The latest threat is on the garden hedgehogs, frogs and toads, all of which land of 18 Pollards Hill West and the resided in the area. There were also a wide adjacent backland pleasure gardens.’ variety of bird species including Brown Owls, Magpies and Jays.

Council rejects Local Heritage & Conservation Area Proposals

The Council rejected both the ideas to Assembly member Steve designate Pollards Hill as a Local Heritage ‘OConnell stated in his submission on the Area or Conservation Area. Local Plan:

‘There is no evidence in the Council records ‘There is a need to ensure that the proposed to support Conservation Area aspirations for list of Local Heritage Areas is complete. This the Pollards Hill area. The complete Local can be checked by looking at past studies for Heritage Area review is available on the potential conversation area status which Council’s website on the evidence base were rejected may provide the basis for pages which support the Croydon Local being Local Heritage Areas e.g. Pollards Hill. Plan.’ Additional Local Heritage Areas, for example Pollards Hill, should be identified. Given that the Pollards Hill Residents Association submitted a proposal in 1988, The Council’s response states: the fact the Council cannot find evidence says a lot about the adequacy of the record ‘The complete review of Local Heritage keeping of the Council and its preservation Areas including 39 existing Local Areas of of material into its Archive (part of Croydon Special Character and new proposals is Museum). Given the large percentage of available on the Council’s website on the Archive material that is not catalogued the evidence base pages which support the evidence may well be in existence. Croydon Local Plan. The section of the Pollards Hill South area is recommended for the Local Heritage Area designation as it meets criteria. The view from Pollards Hill is

10 proposed as a designated Croydon Pollards Hill. A string of approved planning Panorama. The rest of the area, whilst very applications over the last 3 years are attractive, does not meet designation beginning to change the character of the criteria for a Local Heritage Area.’ area, e.g. 18 Pollards Hill West and 3 Hill Drive. There will come a point where its The Joint Planning Committee, since historic characteristics as an urban green renamed Love Norbury Planning Committee, lung with an unusual street pattern will be does not accept the Council’s approach to destroyed. (The numbered points were edited and updated from Proposal for designation of a Conservation Area. Pollards Hill, Norbury. London Borough of Croydon. Pollards Hill Residents Association. June 1988)

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