Netherne-on-the-Hill
| Netherne-on-the-Hill | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 Flats in Netherne-on-the-Hill | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ297564 |
| Location: | 51°17’33"N, 0°8’26"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,458 (2011) |
| Post town: | Coulsdon |
| Postcode: | CR5 |
| Dialling code: | 01737 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Reigate and Banstead |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Reigate |
Netherne-on-the-Hill is a modern village in Surrey created from 1995 at the edge of the metropolis, on a plateau which was once the Netherne Hospital and its estate. The village is across a narrow valley from Hooley. Through the valley run the Hooley Tunnel cutting on the Brighton Main Line, and A23 trunk road; the only road from which the village can be accessed. The M23 motorway a junction with the M25 motorway is close by, within the bounds of neighbouring Merstham.
History
Unlike Hooley which was mostly part of Coulsdon manor and parish, the land here was within the traditional boundaries of Merstham as a village, that is within its ecclesiastical parish. The property called Netherne — 'Lez Nedder' in 1522 — was acquired in the first decade of the 20th century by the Surrey County Council for an asylum; the quit-rent payable yearly for the land of a little over half of one pound sterling recorded in 1522. It was enfranchised, which is to say conveted to freehold, by the Council buying the rent-owner out.[1]
Being on the ridge of the North Downs, the relevant mineral prosperity of the parish was important at the slopes straddling this particular plateau, very sparsely inhabited though it was, and increasingly bereft of water, being aloft of aquifers.
...chalk at Merstham has also been long famous for its lime. The lime produced is not quite equal to the Dorking and Betchworth, but superior to the Guildford product. The lime used to be extensively used as manure, and is still so employed. Cement is also now made from it.The mineral works at Merstham helped to bring about improved means of conveyance. The mediæval line of carriage was by cart to Battersea for conveyance by water to Westminster, and to Kingston upon Thames for water carriage to Windsor.[1]
20th century psychiatric care
Netherne Hospital opened in 1903 as a pleasant asylum for psychiatric patients. The complex could house up to 2000 patients at its peak and its founders built its own laundry, power station, sewage works, farm and sporting facilities. The hospital was known to be progressive in its treatment of mental illnesses, including in its use of art therapy and psychiatric rehabilitation. It closed in 1994 following the community integration of most of its patients.
The hospital chapel is now home to the new community's swimming pool and gym. Little remains of the hospital apart from a minority of converted buildings including the iconic main administration building, several ward block, villas, staff houses, the upper lodge (now a shop) and the water tower. The central area comprising the original administration building, the water tower, two ward blocks, and four smaller detached buildings now form the Netherne on the Hill Conservation area, and are locally listed.
Conversion to residential estate
The former hospital estate was sold by the Department of Health to M J Gleeson in 1995, with development of a new village commencing shortly afterwards. The development was to have included about 440 houses, a nursing home, a business centre, a shop, a public house and recreational open space. The developer never built the nursing home, business centre or public house, and sold much of the land to other developers after having to pay for expensive essential works to the road bridge spanning two deep railway cuttings close to the A23 to the west of the village.
About the village
The village has a shop, an indoor swimming pool and gym, tennis courts, football and cricket pitches, but the bowls club was knocked down as the building was not safe .[2]
A village hall opened in the former recreation hall in 2011, housing parent & baby groups, quiz nights, scouts/brownie, dance classes and parties. The cricket pavilion has been acquired by the management company of the village and is available for private hire. Since October 2017 a community café runs two days a week.
The village is set in extensive landscaped grounds totally around 80 acres, in the joint ownership of the home owners in the village.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Netherne-on-the-Hill) |
- Netherne Village
- Village Hall Events Day 2011: NetherneVillage.org
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A History of the County of Surrey - Volume 3 pp 213-221: Parishes: Merstham (Victoria County History)
- ↑ Netherne Village Community