In 2004, South Bucks District Council moved from Slough to Tatling End. The historic planning applications of Eton Rural District Council going back to 1892 were microfilmed and the original documents were sent to the Archives at Bucks County Council in Aylesbury.

During late 2004 the GX2006 Project Team reviewed the contents of 8000 plans and retained 2500 of the most interesting. Of these, nearly 1500 relate to Gerrards Cross between 1896 and 1937.

The results have been catalogued and sorted by date, by address, by architect and by builder.

For each planning application there is typically a plan of the proposed property, elevations and often details of location and drainage. Some of these documents are illustrated in water colours. Some have deteriorated but many are in excellent condition. A selection of these documents will form part of the Exhibition.

The architects of properties have been analysed. Twenty-nine of the Architects achieved the highest ranking of the Royal Institute of British Architecture with the status of “Fellow” This is remarkable. For a “village” the size of Gerrards Cross having one “FRIBA” would be surprising; to have 29 is outstanding!

Research at the RIBA of the background of the Architects has been documented together with research into Surveyors, Builders, Land Owners, Traders, Estate Agents and Solicitors of the time.

From 1917 onwards a Directory of Gerrards Cross was produced every few years. The Directories from 1917 until 1940 have been analysed to show the evolution of roads, properties and their residents. These Directories also show Advertisements of the time of local traders and Estate Agents together with photographs and drawings. Examples will be shown at the Exhibition.

Microfiches of all the historic plans are still available at South Bucks District Council Offices
Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham, Bucks  UB9 4LH

Much help on the research has been provided by local residents and businesses.

Local Schools are also participating fully in the programme with their own research projects in 2006, which will be exhibited in April.

A book on the history of Gerrards Cross is being prepared by Julian Hunt, formerly Heritage Manager, Buckinghamshire County Council, and David Thorpe, Hon Senior Research Fellow University College, London, who are assisting local residents with the project.

A “Historical Atlas of Gerrards Cross” edited by David Thorpe to document research with detailed maps and analysis of the development and people of Gerrards Cross will also be published at the Exhibition.

For more information:
	email us
or telephone:
Harvey Parr:		01753 886365
	or
Barbara Lyddiatt:		01753 883523