The Parade

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O X S H O T T

March 2025

Removing the “Bubble Gum” signs on The Parade: The Committee was approached by a number of residents after the pavements in The Parade were cleared of bubble gum, asking why a number of brightly coloured signs had appeared. It was a condition of the funding for the gum clearance that the warning signs remain in place for six months a􀀴er the work was finished. We shall be asking for them to be removed in May.

Dropping the kerb on the south-west corner of The Parade: The kerb at the end of the pavement in the Parade nearest the station is almost double the height of most kerbs, and a severe obstacle to wheelchair users and those with wheeled luggage or unsteady on their feet. It has taken some time, but the Committee has identified that, strangely, South Western Railway owns the parcel of land. Parish Councillors have begun discussions in the hope of finding a remedy. Also being debated are the issues of illegal parking around the entrance to the station, and signage to the station car park.

source: Claygate Courier, March 2025 issue, page 6

October 2024

The wooden tubs that brighten up the pavements in The Parade are owned by the CVA. And they are planted, maintained and watered by Claygate in Bloom volunteers. Some of the tubs are falling apart and we are delighted that Councillor Mary Marshall has donated some of her Councillor's funds to buy seven new ones. They have arrived (smelling of whisky!) and will be put in place after the pavement repairs are finished. Thank you Mary. Replacing each tub involves removing plants and soil, removing the bricks that are below the soil and putting everything back in the new tub with the addition of new soil. The whole operation takes about an hour and we would love to hear from anyone who could spare the time to help to do one.

source: CVA email, 20th October 2024

PARISH COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENT 23RD MAY 2024: "Objected to the Station House HMO Development (2024/0118) at East Area planning committee, on the grounds of parking issues on The Parade. Unfortunately EBC voted for the development despite admitting at the Committee Meeting that there is a parking issue."

PARISH COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENT 2ND APRIL 2024: "Objected to Station House development (2024/0118). Raised concerns about insufficient car parking and the proposal's compliance with the relevant spatial regulations."

2024 Planning Applications

Station House

ADDRESS: Station House, The Parade APPLICATION NUMBER: 2024/1538 PROPOSAL: Confirmation of Compliance with Condition 5 (Noise insulation to Buildings) of planning permission 2024/0118. CPC VERDICT: No Objections. No Comments. EBC VERDICT: Condition(s) - Confirm Compliance

VIEW DETAILS

ADDRESS: Station House, The Parade APPLICATION NUMBER: 2024/0118 PROPOSAL: Change of Use from Residential (C3) to 1 Large House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis) with associated works including refuse store, cycle racks, rooflights to west elevation and alterations to fenestration following demolition of external store. CPC VERDICT: Objection with Comment 1. CPC PC does not believe that the proposal complies with relevant spatial regulations, but accepts, of course, that the Case Officer will make his/her own judgement on this. 2. CPC PC does not accept the views expressed in Item 53 of the Officer’s Report on application 2023/1301 as regards parking stress, in particular “However, the parking surveys for previous applications ………….. concluded that there is capacity for further on-street parking and….. concluded that there would be no significant adverse effect on parking stress arising from the development.” – especially in the light of recent changes, namely:- a. Claygate Station carpark is no longer free at weekends b. Torrington Lodge carpark is likely to be developed in the not-too distant future, with a corresponding loss of carparking spaces. As a result, CPC PC requests that the question of parking stress in the area be wholly reconsidered. 3. In the event the proposal is approved, CPC PC requests that a condition be imposed preventing any fixed structure, or planting, being made within a distance to be determined by EBC from the retaining wall, in order to seek to guarantee its stability over time. 4. In the event the proposal is approved, CPC PC request that a Construction Traffic Management Plan be required which, inter alia, prevents deliveries to the site during normal rush hour periods in order to [1] ensure the safety of rail passengers and [2] avoid congestion in the Parade. NB: In addition, CPC Chair, Cllr Holt, made a representation of Objection at the East Area Planning Committee meeting, focussing on parking stress EBC VERDICT: Grant Planning Permission 3 x std conditions 1 x Obscure glazing 1 x Noise Insulation 1 x Cycle Parking 1 x Refuse/Recycling

Historical Notes

Junction of The Parade with Hare Lane

THE PARADE, originally called Station Road, was developed as the main shopping centre after the arrival of the railway. The shops nearest the station were built in the 1890s, the eastern end a little later and those in Hare Lane in the 1930s.

The main shopping centre of the Parade, originally called Station Road, was not developed until the end of the 19th century: that section of the Parade from 23 to 37 was built in 1897, as marked on the upper facade of number 23.

The shops named Station Buildings on the opposite side of the road were probably built a little earlier, as old deeds indicate that the first premises to be built in Station Road were at the western end near the station and were occupied by North & Co, estate agent.

Old photographs show that some of the shops in the Parade in these early days provided quite different services to those offered in more recent times; unfortunately the details are not always very clear. However, what is apparent is that the shops were gas-lit both inside and outside, and while the pavements were made up, the road was not. Motor cars were virtually non-existent, and horse-drawn carriages for the better-off residents of Claygate predominated.

One of the oldest shops in the Parade, in terms of continuity of name and trading activity, is Johnston's, the Post Office and newsagent.

It was not until 1930 that the remaining few vacant plots at the eastern end of The Parade were developed. This is discernible from the different architecture styles of the flats above the shop fronts.

Station Garage (Claygate) Ltd started business in 1929 and had a showroom and kerbside pumps at 22 The Parade, as well as the present workshop at the rear of The Parade near the station. In earlier times it also sold cycles and provided a 24-hour car hire service.

The Village Sign was erected by the Claygate Village Residents' Association (CVRA) to mark the year 2000.

Further Information

• The Parade in previous years

See also

• Claygate Railway Station