CA19: Surbiton Town Centre
Designation date: June 1991
No of properties: 311
Area: 5.2 hectares
image source: Conservation Area leaflet, 2002.
Heritage Map - shows the updated version, complete with search facility
Designation summary
The special architectural and historic interest of this area can be summarised as: Part of the Surbiton “New Town” conceived by Thomas Pooley following the relocation of Surbiton Railway Station to its current site in 1838. Early houses in Victoria Road and Brighton Road were converted to commercial use by 1865, and the area now forms a substantial part of the district centre.
Historical Background
Until the early 19th century, this part of Surbiton, often referred to as Surbiton Hill, was a rural area with a network of small farms and estates, with some scattered development along Ewell Road, Claremont Road and Victoria Road. Properties in this area were first laid out at the time that Thomas Pooley was building houses in the 1840’s around Claremont Gardens, to the north of the area.
By 1865 both sides of Victoria Road, Claremont Road and the north side of Brighton Road were lined with terraced and semi-detached houses giving the town a residential dormitory character. However by 1900 Surbiton had changed to become an important commercial centre and resulted in the conversion of residential to retail and commercial units. Examples of some purpose built commercial properties include the Post Office in Victoria Road and properties along the east side of Claremont Road.
Architectural key features
There are a number of notable buildings and different styles which make a positive contribution to the townscape quality of the area. Examples of Regency style buildings decorated in stucco survive on the dominant 3 storey buildings at 2-8 Victoria Road. Surbiton Station, designed by Architect James Rob Scott is Art Deco in style and is a landmark feature of the conservation area. There are also many Flemish style buildings, including the Old Post Office at 38 Victoria Road, 6-24 Claremont Road and nos 15-63 Brighton Road.
Listed Buildings
- Surbiton Station, grade II listed building
- Shop front, 12 Victoria Road, Grade II listed building
- 2- 8 Victoria Road, Grade II listed building
Buildings of Townscape Merit
- 1-63 Brighton Road
- 1, 9, 10, 11, 13,14, 28, 31, 38, 84 Victoria Road
- 2-24 Claremont Road
- Former Ritz Cinema 7 St Marks Hill
- 17 St James Road
Adjacent Conservation Areas (CA) / Local Areas of Special Character (LASC)
- St Andrews Square Conservation Area
- Claremont Road Conservation Area
- Victoria Road Conservation Area
Archaeological Priority Area
No
Article 4 Directions
Article 4 Direction - converting offices to residential use
Further Information
- Surbiton Town Centre Conservation Area Designation Report
- Assessment of Surbiton Conservation Areas and Local Areas of Special Character (2004)
Contacts
If you have any questions about this conservation area or would like to find out whether you need planning permission before carrying out works to your property, please contact the Duty Planning Officer on 020 8547 5002.
Documents available to download:
| Link | Description | Source | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 1 Planning Information9 | Conservation Area 19 - Planning Information (A5 size leaflet, fold out to A3) | RBK Director of Environmental Services | 2002 |