Inventory Site Record

Dover House Road Estate is one of a number of important LCC cottage estates inspired by the Garden City movement and the pioneering town planning of Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin. The land was previously the estates of two large houses, Dover House and Putney Park House, which were purchased by the LCC soon after WWI. Houses on Dover House Road Estate were designed in groups that overlooked or had access to open space, and the estate was laid out with cul de sacs, generous verges, street trees and front privet hedging, as well as communal green spaces, the largest of which is The Pleasance Open Space, once a medieval green. Allotments were provided in three backland areas, one of which was lost to development in the 1970s, but the remaining two allotments are managed by the Roehampton Garden Society. As a result of demand for allotments, many of the original plots have been divided and the Society now administers in excess of 200 plots across the two sites.

Previous / Other name:

Dover House and Putney Park House estates

Site location:

eastern boundary: Putney Park Lane; north: Upper Richmond Road; south: Crestway; west: Huntingfield Road

Postcode:

SW15 5AR

What 3 Words:

magma.cone.cheese

Type of site:

Housing/Estate Landscaping, Public Gardens

Borough:

Wandsworth

Open to public?

Partially

Opening times:

unrestricted access to public areas. Roehampton Allotments private, only open for OGSW
Has taken part in Open Garden Squares Weekend 5 times, most recently in 2013.

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Barnes, Putney then bus. Bus: 74, 85, 170, 337, 424, 430

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/05/2005

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.wandsworth.gov.uk; www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk

Dover House Road Estate is one of a number of important LCC cottage estates inspired by the Garden City movement and the pioneering town planning of Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin. The land was previously the estates of two large houses, Dover House and Putney Park House, which were purchased by the LCC soon after WWI. Dover House was demolished for the new estate, but Putney Park House (q.v.) remains. The common characteristic of the LCC cottage estates is picturesque Arts and Crafts influenced housing, often with excellent brickwork detailing. It was the intention at Dover House Estate to create housing in groups that overlooked or had access to open space, to provide a sense of intimacy and individuality, and the estate was laid out with cul de sacs, generous verges, street trees and front privet hedging, as well as communal green spaces, the largest of which is The Pleasance Open Space overlooked by a crescent of cottages to the west.

Allotments were also provided by the LCC in three backland areas behind houses, two of which remain and are run by the Roehampton Garden Society. Each allotment site was surrounded by houses; Sites 1 and 3 were each approximately 3 acres with 70 plots and Site 2 was c.2 acres with 40 plots. The estate was well-kept until 1939 but by 1972 had deteriorated, since the 1960s the responsibility of the GLC. The allotments then came under threat but were saved as a result of action by local people who opposed the GLC's plans to build housing here, although Site 1 was subsequently infilled by housing development in the 1970s. The larger of the two sites, Site 3, accessed from 162 Dover House Road had 120 plots, with 60 plots at Site 2, reached from 18 The Pleasance.

In recent years, as a result of demand for allotments, many of the original plots have been divided and the Roehampton Garden Society (in partnership with LB Wandsworth) now administers in excess of 200 plots across the two sites. The Roehampton Garden Society was founded at the outset in 1922 and incorporated the older Roehampton Horticultural Society. The latter was founded in 1873, and had held an annual Summer Show since at least 1893, only interrupted by the two World Wars. Allotment holders regularly participate and there are now two Shows, held in June and September in St Margaret’s Church Hall, Putney Park Lane.

Sources consulted:

Susan Beattie, 'A Revolution in London Housing', 1980; Howard; LB Wandsworth Dover House Estate Conservation Area Character Statement; 'Dover House Estate Conservation Area Appraisal' March 2007; Roehampton Garden Society website www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk/rgs/history.

Grid ref:

TQ226751 (522650,175150)

Size in hectares:

2.2

Site ownership:

LB Wandsworth, allotment sites leased to Roehampton Garden Society

Site management:

Parks Service; Roehampton Garden Society

Date(s):

1920

Designer(s):

LCC

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Dover House Estate

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Local Importance (The Pleasance Open Space)

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Area

Other LA designation:

Local Park/Landscaped Open Space (The Pleasance Open Space)