Becondale Road Open Space (Lambeth)
Brief Description
Becondale Road Open Space is a triangular woodland garden surrounded by a cul-de-sac of Victorian houses built by Isaiah Hitchcock on land that was once part of Norwood Common. The small central garden was initially the responsibility of the lessee and later became that of Lambeth Borough Council.
Practical Information
- Previous / Other name:
- Norwood Common
- Site location:
- Becondale Road, West Norwood
- Postcode:
- SE19 1QJ
- What 3 Words:
- fines.scuba.drag
- Type of site:
- Public Open Land
- Borough:
- Lambeth
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Rail: Gipsy Hill
- Research updated:
- 13/04/2023
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.lambeth.gov.uk
Full Site Description
In 1861 3 acres of land owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury that was part of Norwood Common on the west of Gipsy Hill was let to Goldsworthy Gurney. Knighted in 1863, Gurney was responsible for superintending the lighting and ventilation of the Houses of Parliament. Although his lease allowed him to build he did not develop the site, and in 1862 assigned the lease to local resident William Alexander Watson, who himself sub-let to Isaiah Hitchcock. In 1876 Hitchcock laid out a cul-de-sac with a very small central garden called Beacon Dale Road, renamed Becondale Road in 1903. The houses on the west, which were built in 1879-1884, have interesting decoration and balconies.
Sources consulted:
Marie Draper 'Lambeth's Open Spaces, An historical account', LB Lambeth 1979; Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares, 1928
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ332710 (533308,171096)
- Size in hectares:
- 0.02
- Site ownership:
- LB Lambeth
- Site management:
- Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth)
- Date(s):
- 1876
- Designer(s):
- 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:
Yes
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:
- Gipsy Hill
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- No
- Other LA designation:
- Protected London Square. Open Space
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.