Shelford Rise

From Virtual Norwood

Shelford Rise is a cul-de-sac just off Stambourne Way. Stambourne Way and the associated roads and houses were built by Wates Ltd in the late 1950s and 1960s on land previously occupied by four or five Victorian mansions. Shelford Rise is the second cul-de-sac from the top situated just below Summit Way and the houses have excellent views looking towards Kent. Summit Way was built first, in 1958 or 1959 (No.1 Summit Way was the show house) and Shelford Rise was built in 1960. The development occupies the slopes between Auckland Drive and Church Road and is boundaried on the south side by Sylvan Hill and on the north side by Stambourne Woods. When first built the area between Sylvan Hill and Stambourne Way was occupied by the gardens of the Vicarage of St John's Church. Since then the vicarage has been converted into reitement flats and the flats and houses on Tree View Close and Southholme Close have been built. Orginally the land between Summit Way and Church Road was occupied by a Victorian Mansion that had been converted to a Nursing Home. This building has been demolished and flats built on the site.

The houses on Shelford Rise are 3 and 4 bed townhouses with front and rear gardens and integral garages. According to one home owner, resident since 1960, each was originally sold for £4500 with end plots selling for a little more. By the time she moved to Shelford Rise all the houses on Summit Way, built the previous year, had been sold indicating the estate must have been selling well. According to two owners resident since the 1960s the deeds stated that washing could only be hung in the garden on Monday and that bonfires were not allowed! In each garden Wates planted either an apple or a pear tree. Some of these trees remain. Another resident has said that Wates advertised the properties in newspapers and printed advice on what to plant in the gardens!