Fetcham & Norbury Park
This neighbourhood is a quintessentially suburban village situated to the west of Leatherhead in Surrey. With its large 20th century houses, fantastic schools, and decent provision of shops and amenities, it is no wonder why this area is particularly popular, especially with those who have families. On a typical weekend, residents can be seen enjoying nearby Fetcham or Norbury Park, before heading to Fetcham’s only pub, The Bell, for a pint in friendly surroundings. Others may be interested in playing a game of football for the local amateur football club, Fetcham FC, or to meet other people from the neighbourhood at one of the local community groups. With all of this and more - there really is something for everyone to enjoy in Fetcham!
One of the most historically notable buildings in this neighbourhood is the grade II* listed Fetcham Park House, which was constructed in 1699. The original design was created by an architect named William Talman, who was a student of Sir Christopher Wren. The estate was later sold for £8,250 in 1705, and the new owner commissioned Louis Laguerre, whose work can also be seen at Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court, to design the stairway and ceiling artwork. The building was exchanged a number of times after this, with each owner incorporating new designs and ideas into the existing form. Fetcham Park House is now under the ownership of local property investors The Wilky Group, who obtained it in 1999; it is operated as serviced office spaces, and a venue for weddings and events.
Marie Stopes, a British scientist and writer, lived at Norbury Park House between 1938 and 1958. She was a strong advocate of sexual education and birth control, and opened the first birth control clinic in London.
One of the main disadvantages of this neighbourhood is the lack of a train station, making it more difficult to access central London. Despite this, there are two train stations located in the nearby villages of Leatherhead and Bookham, which residents are happy to make use of.
The majority of the area surrounding Fetcham sits firmly in greenbelt-protected land meaning it can be hard for developers to get planning permission. One recent addition to this area has been a permanent ‘glamping’ site in the Phoenice Fields area of Norbury Park. Despite many local residents standing against this proposal, arguing that the plans would have detrimentally affected the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the site opened in 2019. Elsewhere, in nearby leatherhead the local council is looking to transform a number of areas in the centre of town. The projects are laid out in the Mole Valley Master Plan which confirms that new Riverside, Urban, as well as Retail and Leisure quarters are in development. The nearest of which will be the regeneration of the Swan centre, which has already seen electric charging and bike storage installed, and is set to see more extensive redevelopment in the near future.